“Fallout“ director Jonathan Nolan has profoundly mentioned how his brother, Christopher Nolan, has influenced him in storytelling.
Similarly, the older brother has remarked the influence goes both ways.
Key Takeaways
- Jonathan and Christopher Nolan have inspired each other through their creative paths.
- Since they were little, the brothers loved filmmaking, which eventually became their identity.
- They have the utmost respect for each other’s work but enjoy healthy sibling rivalry.
The Nolan brothers have famously collaborated on different occasions. They have worked together on films “The Prestige,” “Interstellar,” “The Dark Knight Rises” and many more.
It can even be claimed that Jonathan is the mastermind behind the scripts, while Chris is responsible for the majority of the on-screen work.
Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan in 1997. pic.twitter.com/gyg2dJgtdM
— CineMomentsHQ (@cinemomentshq) April 10, 2024
The movie that propelled Christopher to success, “Memento,” was adapted from a story written by Jonathan, which went on to receive two Oscar nominations for its editing and screenplay.
However, in recent times, they have ventured into their own projects but do get together to discuss new ideas and scripts.
“There never has been anything that either of us have worked on that we haven’t shown each other and talked about,” said “The Dark Knight” screenplay writer.
He added, “I think getting a gut check from him is an essential part of any project that I’m working on.”
Many netizens claim that the brothers wouldn’t have reached such heights in cinema without each other’s support. Well, this can be true if you consider the amount of work they have shared.
In that case, whether it is in script writing, cinematography, conceptualization, screenplay, or direction, it is clearly noticeable that they have become an untouchable force because of their joint effort.
When Jonathan Nolan announced #FalloutOnPrime saying he played Fallout 3 and fell in love with the universe…jaded me was like “Oh yeah? Big Hollywood Filmmaker “Genuinely loving” a Popular IP how convenient”…nah I was SOOO WRONG this Motherfucker really loves #Fallout pic.twitter.com/gFbVT9OqKE
— Christopher A. Padilla (4 Now 😶🌫️🫥) (@FilmAgeStudios) April 11, 2024
Talking about bouncing ideas with his brother, the 47-year-old filmmaker said they take pride in finding the lighter moments in these darker stories.
“Fallout is the closest thing that I’ve come to in my career to comedy because it’s such a part of the original franchise.”
Family Ties And Sibling Rivalry
The Nolan brothers were born to parents Brendan James and Christina Jensen in London.
Their British father was an advertising executive, while their mother was a former American flight attendant and English teacher from Evanston, Illinois.
Hence, growing up, they had to travel back and forth between Chicago and London.
They have a third brother, the eldest, Matthew Nolan, who isn’t involved in Hollywood but is their biggest supporter.
Ever since the brothers were young, they were interested in filmmaking; they used to borrow their father’s Super 8 camera and shoot short films with action figures.
Although they have a friendly brotherhood, they often show healthy sibling rivalry.
For instance, you may have heard the infamous line from ‘The Dark Knight,’ “You either die a hero or you live long enough to become the villain.”
The iconic words came from the younger brother, and it tormented Chris, as it became the most used dialogue in the movie.
“My brother wrote it. It kills me, because it’s the line that most resonates. And at the time, I didn’t even understand it.”
FAQs
Is Jonathan Nolan Related To Christopher Nolan?
Even though it is hard to imagine that the two of the greatest filmmakers are siblings, it is indeed true that Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan are related.
Is Jonathan Nolan Married?
Yes, the director is married to executive producer Lisa Joy, and they are proud parents of two kids, a daughter, and a son.
Is Christopher Nolan Left-Handed?
Yes, the “Oppenhaimer” director is left-handed, while his brother Jonathan is right-handed. They claim it gives perfect balance to their creative differences.
