Robert Downey Jr reflects on Christopher Nolan's renowned chair prohibition on the Oppenheimer set

During an episode of Actors on Actors, Robert Downey Jr. shared that the sets of Oppenheimer had a strict no-chair policy. The film took the world by storm as it delved into the life and contributions of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, widely recognized as the father of the atomic bomb.

Paired with Greta Gerwig’s Barbie as a double feature, Christopher Nolan’s biopic surpassed almost a billion dollars at the box office and received widespread acclaim, particularly for its exceptional cast.

Robert Downey Jr., a lead actor in Oppenheimer, recently shared his experience on set and disclosed one of Nolan’s well-known guidelines.

Universal Pictures

Downey claims no one could sit down on Nolan’s Oppenheimer set

The actor met up with his former Marvel co-star Mark Ruffalo for Variety’s Actors on Actors series. During their conversation, they discussed their latest projects: Downey in Oppenheimer with Nolan and Ruffalo in Poor Things with director Yorgos Lanthimos.

Downey pointed out that the two directors had differing styles when it came to screen tests. He explained, “With Nolan, unlike Yorgos but still effective, we were doing screen tests on IMAX, which is insane. You would go back and sit in your set chair — no, you wouldn’t, because there were no set chairs!”

The set felt very minimalistic, similar to a group of 100 people making a watch every day. The small number of people on set reminded the actor of his childhood, working with his dad, a cameraman, an editor, and a few college dropout gaffers, where they would just try new things. The actor also mentioned the absence of chairs on set, saying it made everyone feel vulnerable and created a different atmosphere. He noted that the fast pace of the production made it clear that there was no time for distractions like checking phones or hanging out at craft service, which didn't exist on this set.

Nolan's chair rule was once again brought up during Actors on Actors, with Anne Hathaway sharing her experience working with Nolan on The Dark Knight Rises. She mentioned that Nolan doesn't allow chairs on set because he believes that if people have chairs, they will sit and not work.

While Nolan's methods were strict, it seemed that Hathaway wasn't the only actor who appreciated them. Downey told Ruffalo that he had never worked with a director who was "less judgmental," and how Nolan's willingness to revise scenes to the actors' satisfaction was a rare experience for him.

Oppenheimer can be purchased in 4K, Blu-ray, and VOD formats. Click here to buy each version. Check out our other coverage including the review, ending explanation, best way to watch, cast and characters, filming locations, true story explanation, and more.

Editor's P/S

As a hard fan of Robert Downey Jr. and Christopher Nolan, I am thrilled to hear about the unique and immersive filming experience on the set of Oppenheimer. The strict no-chair policy implemented by Nolan creates an environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, and a sense of urgency. It's fascinating to imagine the cast and crew working tirelessly without the comfort of chairs, which undoubtedly contributed to the film's exceptional quality and box office success.

Downey Jr.'s admiration for Nolan's leadership style further solidifies my respect for the director. Nolan's willingness to revise scenes to the actors' satisfaction demonstrates his commitment to creating a collaborative and supportive work environment. This approach not only benefits the actors but also elevates the overall quality of the film. I am eager to explore the additional content mentioned in the article, such as the review, ending explanation, and behind-the-scenes insights, to gain a deeper understanding of Oppenheimer and Nolan's filmmaking process.