Tom Holland Details the Key Differences Between Christopher Nolan and Marvel Sets
The Spider-Man star highlights Nolan's strict preparation and practical effects in a new interview, while his co-stars share the director's unusual on-set rules.

“I’d say Chris is probably a lot more practical. There’s a lot more preparation, shall we say?”
- Director
- Christopher Nolan
- Starring
- Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway
- Release
- 2026
- Genre
- Adventure, Action, Fantasy
- Where to Watch
- In Theaters
Tom Holland detailed the significant differences between working on a Christopher Nolan film and a Marvel Studios production in a new interview. The actor, who stars as Telemachus in Nolan's upcoming epic The Odyssey, compared the two environments for the 100 Questions YouTube channel.
Holland said Nolan's approach is far more practical and meticulously planned. "I’d say Chris is probably a lot more practical," he stated. "There’s a lot more preparation, shall we say? The Marvel sets, they prepare a lot, but they’re a little bit more fluid. Sometimes we come to set without scripts and stuff like that, and you’re having to improvise and try and find ways to tell the story. Whereas Chris’s script, I don’t think it really changed at all from the first time I read it to the movie that you saw yesterday."
What did Holland say about Nolan's practical effects?
The actor emphasized Nolan's preference for in-camera effects over CGI. Holland pointed to a specific sequence in the film as an example. "He’s a real advocate for practical effects. All of the things you’re seeing in the movie is what’s happening in camera. For example, scenes like the Circe sequence, that’s animatronics and clever camera angles and a bunch of actors that are really game to do something really complicated. You’re not watching a CGI sequence there."
What other rules did the cast reveal?
Other stars from The Odyssey have shared anecdotes about Nolan's strict set etiquette during the film's press tour. While appearing on a YouTube show, Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway listed several of the director's "commandments." Damon joked, "Thou shalt not sit down. There are no chairs on set." Hathaway added, "Thou shalt not wear Uggs." Damon explained the footwear ban, saying, "He hates Uggs. I think they just symbolize leisure in a way that he’s not comfortable with." Hathaway also noted the rule, "Thou wilt be fed. However, lunch shall not linger."
Frequently Asked Questions
Who else is in the cast of 'The Odyssey'?
According to the film's official credits, the cast includes Matt Damon as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Robert Pattinson as Antinous, Himesh Patel as Eurylochus, John Leguizamo as Eumaeus, Charlize Theron as Calypso, Travis Scott as Bard, Corey Hawkins as Polybus, and Jarreth J. Merz as Leodes.
When was 'The Odyssey' released?
The film had a U.S. theatrical release in July 2026.
What is the movie rated and how long is it?
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is rated R and has a runtime of 172 minutes.
What is the premise of the film?
The film follows Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, on his perilous journey home after the Trojan War, where he confronts gods, monsters, and trials that test his cunning and humanity.
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