Late-night host Jon Stewart has heaped praise on Christopher Nolan’s upcoming blockbuster The Odysseycalling the Greek epic an “overwhelming work” and admitted he was completely mesmerized by the production.
Talks with the Oscar-winning director during a 20-minute chat on The daily show on Monday night, Stewart repeatedly raved about the highly anticipated Universal Pictures film, which is officially set to hit theaters this week.
The popular Comedy Central host made his admiration clear right from the start of the interview segment.
“Holy sh-t. It’s a mind-boggling job,” Stewart told Nolan directly.
“I was completely absorbed and transformed by its powerful storytelling and epic nature. [It’s] just remarkable to the point, I feel like I know a lot of the tricks but I don’t know how you did it.”
He even went so far as to jokingly compare the director’s technical wizardry to magic, telling Nolan: “Here’s what I’ll say: You’re a wizard, Harry. The movie is spectacular. As always, you’re my favorite filmmaker.”
Stewart urged audiences to experience the greatness on the biggest screen possible, adding that he appreciates the sheer intentionality, craftsmanship and beauty that Nolan poured into the project, and stated that he hopes everyone rushes out to see it in theaters exactly as it was intended.
A major point of discussion during their conversation was Nolan’s famously unyielding commitment to physical filmmaking over digital alternatives.
Admitting that he was particularly amazed by the practical effects used to bring the ancient maritime voyage to life, Stewart asked the director if the film actually used real boats and real water.
Nolan confirmed that they did and explained it was because they were adapting The Odysseydid he really want to take the audience on that journey.
While the crew certainly used every classic movie trick in the book, Nolan explained that they felt it was important to track down authentic locations and use a real boat.
He admitted that it was a difficult film to make, but claimed that it was difficult for all the right reasons, noting that an adaptation of The Odyssey should be hard.
Stewart also made a rare behind-the-scenes performance, noting that he had heard that Nolan actually managed to complete the massive production ahead of schedule and under budget, an occurrence he noted almost never happens in modern Hollywood.
Nolan explained that the reality was that they had 100 days to shoot, but on day 91, the cast and crew simply couldn’t have taken another step.
He said they finished at just the right time because everyone was completely exhausted.
The cinematic adaptation of the famous Greek epic tells the legendary story of Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, and his long, perilous journey home to the kingdom of Ithaca after the Trojan War.
Awaiting his return are his wife Penelope, played by Anne Hathaway, his son Telemachus, played by Tom Holland, and his loyal servant Eumaeus, played by John Leguizamo.
Along his perilous journey home, Odysseus encounters famous mythological figures, including the goddess Circe, played by Samantha Morton, and the nymph Calypso, played by Charlize Theron, while Penelope must fend off the treacherous suitor Antinous, played by Robert Pattinson.
Moviegoers will finally be able to experience the epic for themselves when the film officially opens in theaters on Friday.
