Late night host Jon Stewart has heaped praise on Christopher Nolan’s upcoming blockbuster The Odysseycalling the Greek epic an “amazing work” and confessing that the production left him completely spellbound.
Speaking with the Oscar-winning director during a 20-minute chat on The daily show On Monday night, Stewart repeatedly gushed about the highly anticipated Universal Pictures film, which officially hits theaters this week.
the popular comedy center The host made his admiration clear from the beginning of the interview segment.
“Shit. That’s amazing work,” Stewart told Nolan directly.
“I was completely absorbed and transformed by its powerful storytelling and epic nature. [It’s] “Just remarkable to the point, I feel like I know a lot of the tricks, but I don’t know how you did it.”
He even jokingly compared the director’s technical wizardry to magic, telling Nolan, “This is what I’m going to say: You’re a magician, Harry. The movie is spectacular. As always, you’re my favorite filmmaker.”
Urging audiences to experience greatness on the biggest screen possible, Stewart added that he appreciates the sheer intentionality, craftsmanship and beauty that Nolan put into the project, and stated that he hopes everyone rushes to see it in theaters exactly as planned.
A major topic of conversation during their conversation was Nolan’s famously unwavering commitment to physical filmmaking over digital alternatives.
Stewart admitted that he was particularly surprised by the practical effects used to bring the ancient sea voyage to life, and asked the director if the film actually used real ships and water.
Nolan confirmed yes, explaining that because they were adapting The OdysseyI really wanted to take the audience on that journey.
While the team certainly used every classic film trick in the book, Nolan explained that they felt it was essential to locate authentic locations and use a real ship.
He admitted that it was a difficult film to make, but argued that it was difficult for all the right reasons, noting that an adaptation of The Odyssey It should be difficult.
Stewart also mentioned a rare behind-the-scenes achievement, noting that he had heard that Nolan actually managed to complete the massive production ahead of schedule and under budget, something he says almost never happens in modern Hollywood.
Nolan explained that the reality was that they had 100 days allotted for filming, but by day 91, the cast and crew simply couldn’t have taken another step.
He said they finished at exactly the right time because everyone was completely exhausted.
The film adaptation of the famous Greek epic tells the legendary story of Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, and his long and dangerous journey back to the kingdom of Ithaca after the Trojan War.
Awaiting his return are his wife Penelope, played by Anne Hathaway, his son Telemachus, played by Tom Holland, and his loyal servant Eumaeus, played by John Leguizamo.
On his perilous path home, Odysseus encounters famous mythological figures, including the goddess Circe, played by Samantha Morton, and the nymph Calypso, played by Charlize Theron, while Penelope must fend off the advances of the treacherous suitor Antinous, played by Robert Pattinson.
Moviegoers will finally be able to experience the epic for themselves when the film officially hits theaters on Friday.
