As one of the most prominent directors of his generation,Christopher Nolanis known for helping to propel more unknown actors to stardom and showing new sides of well-known performers in his movies. Since the news of Nolan’s upcoming adaptation ofThe Odysseybroke, I’ve been thinking about what actors he should tap to star in the project.Christopher Nolan’sThe Odysseyalready has a stacked cast, with huge names like Zendaya, Matt Damon, and Lupita Nyong’o already attached (viaDeadline). However,I know that a sweeping tale likeThe Odysseywill require a large ensemble cast.
Even if Nolan doesn’t work with these actors inThe Odyssey, I know he’ll have another exciting project on the heels of this one. After seeing Cillian Murphy win forOppenheimerafter working with Nolan for many years, I thought of how many performers have been singled out for their work in his projects.Many of these actors are veterans who would lend their authority and expertise to Nolan’s filmography,while others are smaller stars who are at a pivotal moment in their careers. Regardless, I can see how working with Nolan would bolster both the filmmaker and these artists.
8Viola Davis
Known for Fences (2016)
I was somewhat surprised to discover that Viola Davis and Christopher Nolan have never worked together, as Davis is doubtlessly one of the best actresses of her generation.One of the few performers to earn an EGOT,Davis shines in television, film, on stage, and pretty much every artistic project she sets her mind to. At this point in her career, Davis only takes on roles she’s genuinely passionate about, so Nolan would have to come to her with an unforgettable project.
SinceThe Odysseyis an adaptation and has fantasy elements, Davis would be an incredible name to add to the cast of Nolan’s next movie.
Recently, I was excited to hear that Davis has been tapped to star in theChildren of Blood and Bonemovie adaptation. This is similar to her role inThe Ballad of Songbirds and Snakesand shows that Davis might be interested in working on more literary adaptations. SinceThe Odysseyis an adaptation and has fantasy elements, Davis would be an incredible name to add to the cast of Nolan’s next movie.
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7Leo Woodall
Known for One Day (2024)
After playing the secretive and unscrupulous Jack inThe White Lotusseason 2,Leo Woodall pivoted to embodying the pinnacle of a romantic leading man as Dex in Netflix’sOne Day.Though these characters couldn’t be more different, I had no trouble believing Woodall in both TV shows. SinceThe White Lotus, Woodall’s star has been on the rise, with his upcoming role inBridget Jones: Mad About the Boygenerating interest in his future in film.
Woodall falls in line with the type of actor that Nolan typically castsin his movies, as he’s British and early enough in his career that Nolan could collaborate with him many times over. After proving himself in several of these prestige television shows, it’s time for Woodall to cement himself as a movie actor and take on a project that doesn’t further his typecasting as a romantic interest. Woodall has even expressed interest in working with Nolan in an interview withHarper’s Bazaar.
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6Monica Barbaro
Known for A Complete Unknown (2024)
I was swept away by Monica Barbaro when I saw her inA Complete Unknown. Though Timothée Chalamet has the most screen time in the Bob Dylan biopic, Barbaro stole every scene she was in as Joan Baez. However, the actress isn’t just skilled at portraying emotionally rich moments but is just as engaging in the action genre.Some of her early work inTop Gun: Maverickand the TV seriesFUBAR, demonstrates Barbaro’s versatility,making her perfect for a Nolan movie.
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Though not all of Nolan’s work can be characterized as pure action, plenty of his projects feature complex fight sequences and stunts. However, there are also emotional moments and pivotal scenes that rely on the actor being able to tap into a deep place of pain and truth. This is a difficult balance, butBarbaro’s filmography thus far makes me think she could easily walk this line and distinguish herself in Nolan’s work.
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5Cate Blanchett
Known for Tár (2022)
In both film and television, whenever Cate Blanchett appears on screen, I know I’m in for an amazing viewing experience. One of my earliest exposures to Blanchett was her work as Galadriel inThe Lord of the Rings, butshe’s worked across genres and has a movie or TV project for all interests and tastes. Though Blanchett seamlessly fits into every role she’s cast in, I could easily imagine her taking part inThe Odyssey, asshe’s so well known for portraying powerful and intimidating female characters, of which there are many inThe Odyssey.
Though it’s a bit surprising that Cate Blanchett is anactor who’s never worked with Christopher Nolan, plenty of her work has played with themes that are essential to Nolan’s filmography. Nolan frequently plays with time and structure in his movies, and Blanchett would have no trouble engaging with these complex scripts.InTár, I was astounded by how well Blanchett disappeared into her role,which is something actors who work with Nolan must do since so many of them are stars.
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4Colman Domingo
Known for Sing Sing (2024)
One of the best actors of his generation, Colman Domingo’s filmography has consistently delighted and surprised me, with Domingo consistently shining as my favorite part of his movies. His recent film,Sing Sing, is a moving portrait of the way art gives humanity and agency back to incarcerated people. This is only the latest in Domingo’s excellent work both on and off screen, ashe also served as an executive producer onSing Sing.Working with Nolan would be a departure from Domingo’s contemporary trajectory, but he would be an unforgettable addition to one of Nolan’s projects.
Domingo is known for taking on incredible characters and projects, adding his name and skill to films that shine a light on underrepresented voices.
Though Domingo isn’tpredicted to win the 2025 Oscar for Best Actor, his role inSing Singmarks his second nomination, with his performance inRustinearning him the first. Domingo is known for taking on incredible characters and projects, adding his name and skill to films that shine a light on underrepresented voices. I could imagine Nolan taking a page out of Domingo’s book and engaging with these stories in the next phase of his career.
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3Willem Dafoe
Known for Poor Things (2023)
Willem Dafoe has been in some of the biggest movies I’ve seen in the last several years.His frequent collaborations with directors like Robert Eggers and Yorgos Lanthimoshave been an exciting turn in his career, as I’ve seen Dafoe give amazing performances in avant-garde works as well as dramas rooted in realism, likeThe Florida Project. I’ve also noticed that Dafoe has become a big draw at the box office, though this doesn’t influence his decisions about what filmmakers he works with.
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ThoughI doubt Nolan would have Dafoe don prosthetics as intense as inPoor Thingsor have him play a character on the brink of madness as inThe Lighthouse, it’s surprising the pair haven’t collaborated yet. Nolan has brought many prestige actors like Dafoe into his ensembles in recent years, but Dafoe has never made an appearance. Even if it was just in a small cameo role, I would be excited to see Dafoe onscreen in any Nolan project.
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2Jessie Buckley
Known for I’m Thinking of Ending Things (2020)
Charlie Kaufman’s mind-bending psychological thriller,I’m Thinking of Ending Things, first brought Jessie Buckley to my attention and has established her as an important voice in new and interesting cinema. Since then, she has starred in the Academy Award-winning filmWomen Talkingas well as the star-studdedThe Lost Daughter.Witha background in theater and musical performances, Buckley has a wide array of talentsthat Nolan could take advantage of. I’ve watched Buckley’s star rise sinceI’m Thinking of Ending Things, and she’s worked with some incredible filmmakers.
Recently, Buckley returned to theater, playing Sally Bowles in the West End revival ofCabaret, for which she was universally praised.
While I would argue that Buckley has prioritized script and character the most in her work, Nolan has been focusing on these aspects of his films more in recent years. Since Buckley has experience working with auteurs in cinema, I could see her being compatible with Nolan. Recently, Buckley returned to theater, playing Sally Bowles in the West End revival ofCabaret, for which she was universally praised. This performance, along with her work in period dramas, makes me think she’d be perfect in one of Nolan’s projects.
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1Kirby
Known for The Sandman (2022–Present)
Though she’s best known for her TV work, I could easily see Kirby making the transition to moviesby working with Nolan. Playing Death inThe SandmanandDead Boy Detectiveshas been one of her biggest roles in recent years, but I also enjoyed watching her in the sci-fi seriesSugar,Killing Eve, andWhy Women Kill. Her genre work, particularly in sci-fi and fantasy, lends itself well to Nolan’s style, as he’s been known to infuse fantastical elements into his projects, like inInterstellarandThe Prestige.
A frequent criticism lodged against Nolan is that he doesn’t prioritize the depth of his female characters, which is something I want him to change in the future. Bringing talented young women into his casts is an important step in bridging this divide in his projects. Additionally, working with an actress like Kirby would help him appeal to audiences who typically seek out sci-fi and fantasy, as this is where I first encountered her work.Christopher Nolancould help introduce Kirby to a wide array of viewers, and she would certainly bring depth to his work.
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