Josh Hartnett has worked with several directors but the actor came to prominence once again following his appearance in Christopher Nolan’s 2023 blockbuster and multi-Oscar winner Oppenheimer. The actor secured another big movie, this time playing the lead in M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap. Hartnett recently shared that he finds an astonishing similarity between the two veteran directors.
Josh Hartnett Found An Interesting Similarity Between Christopher Nolan and M. Night Shyamalan
Christopher Nolan with Cillian Murphy and Hoyte Van Hoytema on the set of Oppenheimer. Image Credit: Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Picture.
Christopher Nolan and M. Night Shyamalan are two distinct directors producing movies that are polar opposites of each other. While Shyamalan has made his name as a horror director, Nolan’s astonishing reign in Hollywood as a box-office magnet has his own unique and compelling touch to his narratives that often echoes the thematic essence of time.
But it’s not about the directorial style that caught Josh Hartnett’s attention but rather their unique capabilities to create an “inclusive atmosphere.”
“Well, you know, what’s interesting is there’s a similarity between Night and Chris Nolan, because they both are directors that write their own scripts and trust their actors entirely. And so they want to create an atmosphere on set that’s inclusive, that’s creative and collaborative,” Hartnett told HeyUGuys at the UK Premiere for Shyamalan’s Trap.
Hartnett is not wrong, at least judging by the actor’s comments on Nolan and Shyamalan who have worked with them. Nolan’s Oppenheimer made several stunning records in 2023, including the third-highest-grossing movie of the year. Also, the movie bagged a stunning seven Oscars, including The Best Picture Award, Best Director, and Best Actor from 13 total nominations.
The “Set Vibe” Of Christopher Nolan And M. Night Shyamalan Movies Are Unique
M. Night Shyamalan. Image Credit: Gage Skidmore/CC
Hartnett further iterates that the set vibe of the movies of the directors is quite different from others. Of course, the 46-year-old made his Hollywood debut in Steve Miner’s 1998 slasher horror Halloween H20: 20 Years Later. His career in the industry spans close to 26 years with several remarkable titles to his credit including The Virgin Suicide, Black Hawk Down, and of course, Oh Lucy! So, he has worked with several directors in his long cinematic career but Nolan and Shyamalan’s approach to actors and the crews on set are quite different than others.
“And so, in spite of the subject matter and in spite of the historical nature of Oppenheimer, there was a there was a there was a set vibe that felt similar. It was family oriented,” he told HeyUGuys.
“Everybody felt like they had their place in their job to do, and nobody felt stepped on. And I just think the best directors are that way generally. You know, if you’re if you’re kind of an up and coming director or you’re somebody that doesn’t quite have that faith in your vision, you might be off put by somebody else’s opinions. But when you really know what you want to do, like Night or Chris, then you’re fine with everybody kind of putting in their 2 cents and then taking credit for it, right?”
M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap is now showing in theaters.
