Timothée Chalamet Reveals the Director Who Changed His Career Forever

Timothée Chalamet recently opened up about why Christopher Nolan remains his favorite director, reflecting on the time he spent on the set of Interstellar with Matthew McConaughey. Speaking at a Variety and CNN town hall at the University of Texas at Austin, Chalamet shared how the experience shaped his approach to acting and taught him lessons he still carries today.

Nolan is my favorite director to this day. “The Dark Knight” made me want to act. “Inception” inspired me, Chalamet told the audience. He explained that working on Interstellar felt like stepping onto sacred ground, where every actor and crew member treated the work with seriousness and respect.

Chalamet recalled that McConaughey and Nolan set a high standard for commitment. I got a sense from you two that you felt like you were walking on sacred ground. It was hard to go back to college after that, he said. The young actor also shared a funny moment when McConaughey challenged him to understand how a tractor worked for a farm scene. I thought you were half-joking, so I cracked a laugh, and you said, “No. You should really know,” Chalamet remembered. He went home that night to study the machinery, proving he was serious about the role.

McConaughey added his thoughts on Nolan’s style, comparing him to a dedicated general who is always the first on set and the last to leave. He noted that Nolan often chose practical, simple methods over flashy technology to keep the performances authentic. I remember going like, “Why wouldn’t you use the big cranes?” “Because it’s a waste of money. It’s only as good — or not as good — as this,” he said, describing how a hand-held gimbal captured him floating through space.

Both actors are having busy years in 2026. Chalamet has been praised for his role in Marty Supreme and is preparing for the December release of Dune: Part Three. McConaughey is starring in the crime thriller The Rivals of Amziah King, opening in August, and is also working on The Lost Bus for Apple TV+, as well as a new Netflix project with Cole Hauser.

Chalamet reflected on the lessons he learned from McConaughey during their time together. Beware of the people in life that get more of the advice they give you than you get at the advice, he said, praising his co-star for never being arrogant and for fostering an environment where he could learn and grow.

Christopher Nolan’s influence clearly left a mark on Chalamet, not just in shaping his craft, but also in teaching him how serious and fun acting can be at the same time.

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