Christopher Nolan Talks 'The Odyssey' & Shares Joke About Park Chan-wook on 'News Hunters'

World-renowned director Christopher Nolan, visiting South Korea ahead of the release of his new film "The Odyssey", made a surprise appearance on SBS "News Hunters" to express his affection for Korean audiences and share behind-the-scenes stories with acclaimed director Park Chan-wook.

Nolan conducted an exclusive interview with "News Hunters" at the SBS Mok-dong building on the 3rd.

Appearing in a jacket despite the extreme heat wave, which had fans concerned, he lightened the mood by joking, "I came through China and India, so I'm used to the heat. At least I don't have to wear a necktie like an anchor."

Expressing that he had long looked forward to visiting Korea, Nolan mentioned the explosive support Korean audiences sent him during the past release of "Interstellar". He shared his emotion about meeting Korean fans, saying, "From that moment on, I wanted to come to Korea myself to meet people and feel that enthusiasm, but I didn't get the chance until coming with this new project."

In particular, he introduced his special encounter with director Park Chan-wook during this visit. Nolan recounted, "When Park asked about my next project plans and I said I didn't know, he told me, 'Go on a vacation, but don't rest for too long for your next movie.' Honestly, hearing that made me feel more tired," which brought out cheerful laughter. He then expressed his respect, adding, "Park is a master I have loved for a long time, and it is always interesting to see Korean creators changing the flow of global culture."

Regarding his new film "The Odyssey", he emphasized that it was a core work running through his directing career. Nolan revealed, "While rereading the ancient text, I was surprised to find that the source material contains the themes and storytelling models that have guided my entire career, not only 'Interstellar' but also 'The Dark Knight' series and 'Tenet'."

He also explained the background of adapting ancient mythology into a modern context, stating, "The 'Law of Zeus (Xenia)' appearing in the original work is an ancient norm to warmly respect and treat unfamiliar strangers. I realized that this is ultimately the principle of 'mutual respect' that supports modern civilization, and I wanted to convey the message that when we ignore this, we put ourselves in danger."

In addition, Nolan's candid moments—from his challenge of shooting entirely in IMAX, which he had aspired to since he was 16 years old, to leaving an autograph with a camera lens for viewers—will be revealed on "News Hunters" airing this evening (the 4th) at 7 PM. The broadcast can be viewed through TV and YouTube channels.

(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)