Jonathan Nolan talks FALLOUT, THE DARK KNIGHT, MEMENTO, WESTWORLD I Happy Sad Confused
Jonathan Nolan has been writing and producing some of the most spellbinding films and TV for the last quarter of a century, from MEMENTO and THE DARK KNIGHT to WESTWORLD and now FALLOUT. He joins Josh to chat about it all plus how he emerged from the long shadow of big brother Christopher to earn his own place as a storytelling powerhouse. #happysadconfused #joshhorowitz #jonathannolan #fallout
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00:00 Introduction
02:03 FALLOUT
08:05 Verhoeven influence
12:05 Ad--ZocDoc
13:55 Early influences/Christopher
17:31 Getting serious about film
20:23 MEMENTO
27:46 THE DARK KNIGHT
34:03 Ad--BetterHelp
35:37 THE DARK KNIGHT RISES
37:57 WESTWORLD
40:21 Directing
Пікірлер: 241
Thanks for watching! What's your favorite Jonathan Nolan project? Make sure to subscribe to the channel so you don't miss any of my chats.
@KyleCorwith
2 ай бұрын
He HAS done interviews like this. I have two 40 minute audio interviews he did for Creative Screenwriting Magazine in 2008 for The Dark Knight AND The Prestige in 2006 on my phone right now.
@maxthebean8047
2 ай бұрын
Westworld is very much where him and his wife just created something great. Season 1, real good television :)
@khaluurihusky8761
2 ай бұрын
Interstellar! The many years of work did not go in vain, my favorite movie.
@roadrollerdio565
2 ай бұрын
Excited for you to interview him again and chat in depth about The Prestige and Interstellar!
@TheCinematicGamer
2 ай бұрын
Interstellar but honestly. That is a very hard question to answer the guy is brilliant as his brother no doubt about it
I didn’t realize how heartwarming it can be listening to a writer talk about how much they love the source material instead of hearing, “well, they do it one way but wait until you see what we’re going to do”
@frankytanky5076
2 ай бұрын
It's so refreshing to hear how much of a legit gamer Nolan was/is and how much he understands the feel of the franchise. The guy also just shows how much he respects games as a legit artistic medium. There's just no substitute to being actually invested and understanding the original material.
Josh you do a great deal of giving your guests air to breathe, nothing is rushed, no interruptions, good conversational lanes.
@stevenawalt68
2 ай бұрын
Too rare these days.
Let’s just thanks Nolan’s parents for giving us these two amazing directors! Fallout is 10/10 incredible and faithful to the source material, just impeccable, chefs kiss good
For the first time in this interview he mentioned Tim Cain, the creator of Fallout. This is good
@ziekboi
2 ай бұрын
he deserves it! I hope they went to Tim for some input on the story, or do later!
@uniformdremora
2 ай бұрын
Agreed
@KenTWOu
2 ай бұрын
Just in case, it's Tim Cain. I'm also really glad, he was mentioned.
@jaycollins2036
2 ай бұрын
Meanwhile at the paramount mountain: Halo Producers,"We didn't look at the games."
@ziekboi
2 ай бұрын
did yall see tim's video it's great they invited him to the premiere he even linked up with fargo
I love Jonathan Nolan just as much as his brother, he made 2 of my all time favorite tv shows in Westworld and Person Of Interest. And with Fallout added to his roster I hope wins just as many Emmy’s as his brother won Oscars for Oppenheimer.
@ea09
2 ай бұрын
Yeah, PoI is amazing. Too bad interviewer didn't ask anything about PoI. i'd die to know why they ended it abruptly and what their future plans about PoI are.
@jd899
2 ай бұрын
@@ea09I concur.
@iamthebatman6557
2 ай бұрын
His brother won zero Emmy’s for Oppenheimer … but yeh I agree.
@1775adam
2 ай бұрын
Person of Interest is prophetic in many ways. And the scripts were tight and the villains were next-level. Elias is a masterclass in 3D antagonist. Samaritan and it's organization was quite a formidable opponent. And the main cast of protagonists was straight out of a Batman comic.
Some of Jonathan's mannerisms such as his hand gestures when he is explaining how Memento was sold or TDK backstory are so reminiscent of his brother's - family resemblance in action, literally!
@mikeregis3544
2 ай бұрын
Funny I said the same thing.
@ivanessa_schnitzel
2 ай бұрын
I thought the same - it's uncanny sometimes
First interview I’ve watched from start to finish in awhile. I could’ve stuck around for another hour of this.
Love his passion for all mediums. He gets TV, film, and gaming. Great interview!
This guy is so easy to listen to. I can listen to him speak all day. What a great storyteller!
This man gave me Person of Interest - one of the best and most underrated shows I’ve seen in my life
Jonathan seems like such a humble and good dude... The thing he said about the studio execs thinking the audience are rubes was such a refreshingly humble and true thing to say, especially when people are often wary to say such things about studios.
I'll forever be grateful to Jonathan for creating HBO's Westworld. Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Ford is one of my favorite characters. Same for Ed Harris and Jeffrey Wright as MiB and Bernard respectively.
Westworld was one of my favourite shows growing up, it just blew my mind the sort of ideas they were grappling with and yet very accessible. But the performances, my god, you have to be some talented director to get such perfect performances from those actors. I mean I know Anthony Hopkins is great regardless of the movie/show, but his role in Westworld was one of his best, same with Jeffrey Wright and Thandiwe Newton. Such a visual masterclass
I LOVE how the brother of Christopher Nolan (Jonathan) directed 3 of the episodes of season 1 of the Fallout show, they were absolutely amazing.
For my late brother Curtis and I, used to love talking about genre films and tv. He was dragging me to Trek and cons since the late 70’s. I wish he was still alive so we could talk about all the amazing content that has come out since covid. Also Josh you are doing great work. I really enjoy this podcast.
One of my favorite shows ever is Person of Interest. Jonah Nolan is a mad genius. Thank you for everything.
People give Goyer too much credit. This is the real brains behind the operation.
@DavidOakesMusic
2 ай бұрын
Goyer is a complete hack. He's the McG of screenwriting.
@SpFlash1523
2 ай бұрын
@@DavidOakesMusic The Blade trilogy proved that lol.
@antona.8659
2 ай бұрын
Goyer wrote the first good Marvel movie, a movie which showed you can do dark and gritty superhero movies and be successful, and knew his way around DC. To say he had nothing to do with TDKT is to lie.
@obscure.reference
Ай бұрын
yeah why give credit to the guy who had been cultivating that tone since the early 90’s. like what, goyer’s done tons of solid stuff.
This interview was fantastic. So many great stories. You can really hear in Jonathan's voice how much he really admires and loves his brother. Can't wait for you to have him back to discuss "The Prestige".
This Nolan guy precisely understands the nature and need for adaptations. Not to change the essence of the source material, but adding/expanding what already made the original so beloved!
When he name dropped portal and bioshock, I knew we were in good hands
@Stefan_1306
2 ай бұрын
Yes, he seems to have good taste. I'm cautiously optimistic too.
@Oldhandlewasabitcringe
2 ай бұрын
Why? There are millions of people that have played these games, are they all safe hands?
@JerahNeptune
2 ай бұрын
@Oldhandlewasabitcringe He also mentions how he brings up games when people ask him about favorite movies at the time. Also to answer your question, yes. Why so serious? ;)
@UndeadKIRA
2 ай бұрын
@@Oldhandlewasabitcringe Games as artform. important perspective
@puppetmaster8551
2 ай бұрын
Wish he was involved in the bioshock movie that Netflix is making, would probably end up a lot better than it’s going to.
The pace of this interview is so spectacular
31:24 I knew The Dark Knight was heavily inspired by Heat of course, but I didnt know about The Wire connection! Goated show. David Simon is an exceptional writer and somehow still so underrated!
Jons description of his RPG playthroughs is exactly mine. Good playthrough, then I want to go full bad but get squeamish and still hold out on certain choices. It does feel like its a real moral decision that some entity is looking over sometimes. Spot on
I can tell Johnathan Nolan is gonna kill it with Fallout, you can tell he actually cares about the franchise
thanks for writing the line he's the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now. So, we'll hunt him, because he can take it. Because he's not our hero.
Jonathan should have gotten a Golden globe and an Academy award for his script of Dark Knight, especially for writing Joker's character and lines
Great to hear him talk about the dynamics of actually playing a Fallout game, hopeful for this adaptation!
Jonathan is a legend, so glad he was heavily involved with this show. Can’t wait for s2
Man he's so talented. I can imagine him wanting to create his own identity very much due to his brother's massive success from early on. However, i think Jonathan doesn't have to compare himself to his brother and keep doing what he likes.
An amazing, intimate interview. Thank you
jonahtan nolan... what a remarkable filmmaker! josh horowitz... what a remarkable interviewer! thank you for a job well done.
Amazing work Josh. Chris is my favorite filmmaker and I love that Jonathan was one of his key collaborators over the years and their work together is just magical. Truly grateful for the both of them and their contributions to the films I absolutely adore. I’m Glad Jonathan is getting the recognition he deserves, 100% deserves it.
Wow, such a cool interview. We are in good hands. Nolan has been consistent for so long now, it would be quite the achievement for him to botch a project. Seeing how knowledgeable and appreciative he is of the universe, only gives me hope. He doesn't speak like other show runners who seem to have only skimmed the wiki page. And even if he did, knowing the quality of his writing, I would have still given him the benefit of the doubt. But he comes of as someone who knows they have something good on their hands and can't wait for us to see it.
When people think of films like Dark Knight, Dark Knight Rises or Interstellar and so on. They usually always think of Christopher Nolan most of the time but they never for one second realized that it was also his brother Jonathan that helped in creating those incredible pieces of cinema. This dude needs to have his name out there in the public eye more as a writer and filmmaker in general.
@roadrollerdio565
2 ай бұрын
Speaking of Interstellar, that was yet another movie that Jonathan was writing originally, based on a story by Kip Thorne, and then he brought on his brother Chris to co-write and direct when Spielberg left the project. Their collaboration is so important!
@OrionInSpace
2 ай бұрын
@@roadrollerdio565 indeed Interstellar is my favorite film of all time
@doublep1980
2 ай бұрын
Don't forget, he wrote ''Memento'' as a short story, then his brother proposed to turn it into a movie and he adapted it into a script. This was what kickstarted both their careers in Hollywood.
I'm devouring this interview
As someone who grew up a fan of the Fallout series and Jonathan Nolan’s work…this interview quieted my fears. I’m starting to let myself get excited for this show now
I love this guy, quite underated under big brother´s umbrella, it should have been The Nolan Brothers! Also, funny how the media outlets extrapolated so much of that little remark of Nolan stating he would have loved to make Westworld´s final season, of course he would but many people failed to appreciate the show so unlikely there is a fan base strong enough to rally for a 5th season. Eitherway I enjoyed the season 4 finale and found it fitting enough as a closure to Dolores story arc.
Extremely well done. Loved every minute of this.
This guy is an awesome guest. Maybe the best show you've ever done.
finally! a long form jonathan nolan, ive longed to listen him and his process
@andr4203
2 ай бұрын
you should watch his interview with the channel "pioneer works" it's a 1h20 interview
@mtrps_
2 ай бұрын
@@andr4203 niceee. thank you for the suggestion!
This man needs to finish Westworld!!
Jona seeing the online "discourse" surrounding Starship Troopers in the last couple months is kind of oddly fun lol
@Aussie27Legend
2 ай бұрын
Thanks, Helldivers!
@ziekboi
2 ай бұрын
@@Aussie27Legend I gotta play it lol all I heard was super earth and I was in
@Aussie27Legend
2 ай бұрын
@@ziekboi it is genuinely a lot of fun.
Jonathon you are a star, Westworld is my favourite of a decade, you are a truly amazing talented person, thank you for your contribution to tv and cinema
Didn't skip a minute! Well, except the ads, thank you for bookmarking those..
I love so much of this guy's work... Memento especially... An extreme talent... And its ALWAYS great to hear someone appreciate and respect the source material in which they are adapting. Apparently that's a strange concept for many to grasp nowadays and that's how franchises get ruined. I love the series Fallout 👏🏻 Looking forward to season 2!
Yes your Audience is SMART. Thanks. And we will follow the good stuff.
This man definitely knows his fallout. Can’t wait to watch
This was incredible thank you for this
This is now my favorite HSC interview
It's truly great for a filmmaker to basically say he/she isn't here to preach to us about anything... There's no agenda being pushed... Anything thats present in the story... It serves the story... And its up to us as viewers how we wish to think... We're presented with more questions than answers... Our job is to think and I greatly appreciate that viewpoint from a filmmaker/writer
Verhoeven discussion was great
Holy smokes man Jonathan is such an amazing guest. Great job all around!
Very interesting conversation with the director, especially his own time playing FO3, at least he's familiar with the core material...
He HAS done interviews like this. I have two 40 minute audio interviews he did for Creative Screenwriting Magazine in 2008 for The Dark Knight AND The Prestige in 2006 on my phone right now.
@Nineteen1900Hundred
2 ай бұрын
I remember a long time ago, J Nolan did an interview and he talked about The Joker in The Dark Knight, and he mentioned how Joker’s character is like a force of nature that materialised on the street in the first shot. But I’ve never been able to find that audio podcast interview all these years later.
@KyleCorwith
2 ай бұрын
@@Nineteen1900Hundred Pretty sure it’s this one: kzread.info/dash/bejne/dYF_j8OelrPHYZM.htmlsi=m1uC9YJ8tEhpExMi 😎
@gemelwalters2942
2 ай бұрын
so over 15 years ago? I don't think they were saying he has NEVER done interviews, but rarely does them.
Hope we will see the last season of Westworld
Great interview! Lots of interesting stuff
@kptmaci4979
2 ай бұрын
Fallout 3 was also my first introduction to fallout world. Spend way too much time there. But Im also glad they mention in show itself New Vegas, which wasnt developed by Bethesda itself, but stood on their ready engine and people think Bethesda resents this part due to it not being produced directly by them, yet being praised so high. Yet, the show proves them wrong, New Vegas is still held in high regard. Great stuff. Although I admit New Vegas has much more replayability, it always felt like a high effort mod to fallout 3 with many totally empty spaces in between areas and copied enemies and structures. Fallout 3 was much more consistent stylistically I feel and felt much richer + I just liked that core story that much better.
Legend for giving Tim Cain the recognition for Fallout 1 he deserves and the influence that initial game had on the whole franchise
Jonahhhh pleaseeee keep doing long format interviews!!!
Amazing interview!
great interview
Very insightful interview. Thanks Josh for this gift.
His comments about Heat having parallels to a Greek opera were so on point.
@butaleo
2 ай бұрын
In what way was it like a Greek opera? I am not very knowledgeable about Greek opera
This is incredible. Jonathan Nolan knows his shit with games. Thank you.
It’s sad he did not meet the original creators of the Fallout franchise, Tim Cain, Leonard Boyarsky and Jason Anderson.
Very talented guy !!!
Surprised he's avoided doing interviews because he's really an engaging interviewee. This man has built a great body of work and I'm excited for his future work.
“Meet the Fablemans” 😂😂😂
What a hero 🫶🏽 You can tell his true passion as a gamer 🤌🏽
Good interview
So excited for Fallout… I’m surprised West World season 1 had issues.. for me that was the peak (at least of what I’d seen).. idk even know how many seasons it went but it was an epic start.. sad to here he didn’t get to finish the story he wanted to tell… I’ll have to look more into that show..
i watched Memento on the screen when it came out!
No amount of time is enough time when it comes to interviewing Jonah. Really hope you get another opportunity to speak with him soon!
What a cool guy.
westworld s1 is the peak
Never knew he used to be a gamer. Hell he even mentioned Bioshock and Portal.
I honestly think Jonathan liking portal games is the best thing ever, i'm optimistic about this fallout show.
Pretty fun him and Chris growing up going to different schools in different countries, but still end up in the same business
It's interesting to see that he has Chris' mannerisms, (or Chris has John's) being brothers, they just assimilated each other's movements.
WHOA!
I feel like the fact that both Nolan brothers have made Oppenheimer and Fallout gives a worrying insight into what direction they think society is going in right now...
J Nolan is one of the best TV creators. Fallout was a banger!
I did not expect CN brother to not look much like Nolan or an american accent
Josh is 48?!?!?
He clearly has incredible imagination and enough knowledge to bring into reality. He needs to get over the little brother syndrome. The idea of time in Momento has made the entire career of Christopher.
Since Jonathan mentioned BioShock... if he made a BioShock TV show that'd be a dream come true cause the BioShock movie is cursed at this point. Gore Verbinski was interested in making it, never happened, Guillermo del Toro was interested in it, never happened, in the early 2022 Netflix announed a BioShock movie with Francis Lawrence as the director and Michael Green as the writer which sounds great but I wouldn't be surprised if it got cancelled/is in development hell for now, it has been over 2 years and no news whatsoever apart from the announcement itself...
ALWAYS TRUSTING JOSH TO ASK THE QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO BE ASKED. @38:07
Jon is like me in taste but with talent and a budget lol. Respect.
This show is gonna be so fucking good
10:25 I was worried this guy and his brother were trying to start the apocalypse like vault tech on the show, but after that time stamp, I'm sold, this guy just knows what's up with games and story telling. Bioshock, yes great, but Portal. PUZZLES + COMPELLING STORY = BLISS
Excited for the fallout series. btw, when did Jonathan Nolan morph into Thomas Haden Church?
YES! @cainongames reference!
If you notice, his mannerisms are more like Chris's in the way he speaks. Look at his hand.
4:15 that fallout logo is added in post ?
I like how Jonathan is more American Nolan and Chris is the British one
That quick bit about Chris Nolan not having a phone, and that Jonathan or Emma would have to field calls for him😂…I know everyone is like “wow no phone, cool!” but like how you gonna put that responsibility on everyone around you lol
It does sound like Jonathan Nolan ‘gets it’ when it comes to the setting.
For better of worse, Jonathan's name for his more solo projects before this show has sorta been synonymous with WestWorld and the direction that show went in. I hope he gets to expand his future projects in more different directions. I would like to see him do something a bit less cerebral and Sci-fi in the future. My guess is his first directed film could be for a streamer?!
@doublep1980
2 ай бұрын
He was only involved in the first, excellent season of Westworld as showrunner, the later seasons he's only credited as an ''executive producer'', which in many cases means they just slapped his name on the credits. But he was the showrunner for the entirety of ''Person of Interested'', which is a great show.
Westworld has to get an ending. It would be a perfect loop to Season 1.
Had no idea he came up with MEMENTO