Here's What Auditioning For Nolan Feels Like, According to 'Tenet' Actor
There's a very particular process to go through if you want to get a part in Christopher Nolan movie, says Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
Celebrating his newest movie 'Bullet Train' premiere, Aaron Taylor-Johnson sat down with The Hollywood Reporter to talk about his previous works – including a stint in Nolan's critically acclaimed 'Tenet'.
It's not like the British actor actually needs an introduction: he's already well-known in Hollywood and beyond thanks to his debut as Quicksilver in Marvel's 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' and appearance in yet another big-budget blockbuster, 'Godzilla '. Nevertheless, getting a part in Christopher Nolan 's 'Tenet' wasn't the easiest task for Taylor-Johnson.
In 'Tenet' one can spot Aaron Taylor-Johnson in tactical gear as Ives, a military leader introduced in the third act as he heads a massive military operation.
The actor once again confirmed what Nolan fans actually knew all along: the director has some sort of a "roster" of his go-to actors, so the very number of roles available is limited from the very start – you just can't ever be sure if something is going to come around or not, according to Taylor-Johnson. And even if an opportunity actually presents itself, it's not easy to get some face-to-face time with Nolan himself: the selection process is almost brutal. But, once getting the director's attention, any actor can actually hope to get on that list of actors Nolan tend to work with – just like it happened with Tom Hardy or Cillian Murphy, not to mention Michael Caine, who seems to have become Nolan's lucky charm.
Aaron was more than ready to go through casting rounds and do what it takes to get a part in Nolan's production:
"And it was quite a process if I'm being honest. I went through a couple of different castings before I could even get in the room to do another audition for him. So it wasn't a done deal, but the best things are worth fighting for and putting yourself out on a limb. So it didn't come about that easy, but luckily, he gave me the part. And it didn't matter to me how big or small the role was. I just wanted to be in his presence on his next movie."
Nolan's newest project, 'Oppenheimer' ( sadly without Aaron Taylor-Johnson, but with Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr, Matt Damon and Emily Blunt ) opens in theaters July 21, 2023.