Summary
Cillian Murphy says Christopher Nolan movies don't have director's cuts due to him putting the entire script into the movie.
Nolan's strong rapport with his studio collaborators enables him to present his complete artistic vision on the big screen, free from any interference.
Oppenheimer, Nolan's debut film with a runtime of three hours, sets a new record and unequivocally showcases his meticulous attention to detail in this gripping biographical thriller.
Cillian Murphy, star of the longest movie in Christopher Nolan's filmography, sheds light on why Nolan movies don't have director's cuts. Murphy, who has collaborated with Nolan for the sixth time in the historical biographical thriller Oppenheimer, shared his thoughts on their working relationship in an interview with Collider. When questioned about any additional content that may have been cut from the film, Murphy dismissed the notion and provided an explanation as to why director's cuts have not been a part of Nolan's repertoire. Read on to find out what Murphy revealed.
Chris Nolan movies do not contain deleted scenes, meaning there are no DVD extras available for his films. This is due to the fact that the script itself is the complete movie. Nolan possesses a clear vision of the final outcome and does not tinker with it in attempts to alter the story. In essence, what you see on screen is the definitive version.
Why It's Best Nolan Doesn't Have Director's Cuts
Deleted scenes are common in most releases, but what sets Nolan apart is that he doesn't include them as special features on his home releases. Despite working on a range of projects, from superhero films like the Dark Knight trilogy to complex sci-fi like Inception, Nolan has never hesitated to explore different creative avenues while maintaining his distinctive vision.
Nolan's ability to fully realize his creative vision on-screen speaks to the trust he has earned from his studio partners. In an industry where studios like Warner Bros., where Nolan had been based for almost two decades, are often criticized for interfering with director's cuts, like in Zack Snyder's Justice League, it's reassuring that Nolan hasn't had to compromise his vision.
Given the trend of Nolan's recent films with runtimes close to three hours, it is understandable why director's cuts are not released for projects like Oppenheimer on physical and digital platforms. While longer films have become a divisive topic among audiences seeking shorter stories, it remains uncertain if Nolan will continue to disregard this preference in the coming years. However, considering the positive reception of Oppenheimer as a comeback after Tenet's disappointing performance, it is probable that audiences will be more lenient towards the filmmaker.