Christopher Nolan, Kai Bird on adapting ‘American Prometheus’; Disney’s proxy war wages on
Feb 16, 2024
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Christopher Nolan and Kai Bird discuss adapting 'American Prometheus' into a blockbuster hit. Disney's battle with shareholders and the predicted end of 'peak TV' are explored. The decline in Hollywood content and the journey of 'American Prometheus' are discussed. J. Robert Oppenheimer's passion for New Mexico and quantum physics is explored. The process of adapting the book into a film and the discussion on nuclear weapons and non-proliferation efforts are highlighted.
The challenges of portraying genius and emphasizing human drama in J. Robert Oppenheimer's life were key aspects of adapting 'American Prometheus' for the big screen.
Christopher Nolan used heist and courtroom genres, subjective and objective perspectives, and stage directions to create tension and engage the audience in 'American Prometheus' adaptation.
Deep dives
The Journey of American Prometheus
Christopher Nolan and Kai Bird discuss the long journey of completing the book American Prometheus, a biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer, and bringing it to the big screen. They highlight the challenges of portraying genius on screen and the importance of emphasizing the human drama in Oppenheimer's life, particularly his downfall during the security hearings in 1954. They also mention the global resonance of the story and the need for continued awareness and regulation of nuclear weapons.
Structuring the Film and Making it Accessible
Christopher Nolan explains his approach to adapting American Prometheus for the screen, including using the genres of heist films and courtroom dramas to create tension and engage the audience. He also discusses his use of subjective and objective perspectives through color sequences and black-and-white scenes, as well as the importance of the stage directions in the script.
The Personal Connection to Oppenheimer
Both Christopher Nolan and Kai Bird discuss their personal connections to J. Robert Oppenheimer. Nolan shares his fascination with physics and the challenge of conveying complex scientific concepts in a relatable way. Bird highlights Oppenheimer's love for New Mexico and his desire to bring together his passion for the wilderness and physics. They both appreciate Oppenheimer's brilliance and the tremendous impact he had on the world.
Optimism and the Message of the Film
Kai Bird discusses the importance of being optimistic in the face of nuclear weapons, similar to Oppenheimer's belief that human beings can learn to live with science and regulate these weapons. Christopher Nolan emphasizes the need for continuous efforts in non-proliferation and reduction of nuclear weapons. He points out the progress made in reducing the number of warheads since 1967 and calls for concerted pressure on governments to tackle this ongoing threat.
Kim Masters and Matt Belloni examine the latest updates in the Disney proxy vote saga. Also, has peak TV officially ended? The banter partners break down FX chairman John Landgraf’s recent remarks on the current state of television.
Plus, Masters speaks to Oppenheimer writer and director Christopher Nolan and American Prometheus co-author Kai Bird about adapting the film’s Pulitzer Prize winning source material. Bird talks about the 25 years it took to complete the sprawling biography with co-author Martin Sherwin, and Nolan shares how he approached adapting their 700-page book into a summer blockbuster hit.
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