Director Christopher Nolan implemented a strict "no UGGs on set" policy for both his Oscar-winning film "Oppenheimer" and his recently released "The Odyssey." Nolan explained that the popular sheepskin boots are a "signifier of modernity" that can pull actors and crew out of the immersive reality being created on set.
"I want to stay in the moment. We want actors to stay in the moment," Nolan stated in an appearance on "CBS Mornings." He described the "big, fluffy, comfy" UGG boots as jarring, noting that they can be more distracting than the presence of cameras, microphones, and the wider film crew.
Nolan drew a parallel between wearing UGGs on set and off-camera snacking, such as eating a bag of chips. "There are certain things that just remind you that you’re in the real world as opposed to the world we’re trying to create for the actors," he said.
Actors who have worked with Nolan have corroborated his stance. Anne Hathaway recalled an instance on the set of "The Odyssey" where Nolan immediately noticed her UGG boots and instructed her to remove them. Matt Damon joked that Nolan "hates UGGs more than anything."
Emily Blunt shared a similar experience from the "Oppenheimer" set, recounting how Nolan directly told her to take off her UGG boots after she wore them to set one day. "He literally just stared at them. I was like, 'Chris, come on.' He goes, 'Take those off,'" Blunt said on "The Late Show."
Nolan is known for his commitment to on-set authenticity. He often favors practical effects and filming in remote locations over extensive use of Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI), which he believes can sometimes feel too "safe" and lack the desired impact or "bite."
"The Odyssey," filmed entirely with high-resolution IMAX cameras, premiered in theaters on July 17. The film grossed $124.5 million domestically during its opening weekend.