Christopher Nolanhas collaborated with numerous talented actors over the course of his multi-decade career. Even his superhero movie filmsThe Dark Knighttrilogyfeatured A-list talent.The Dark Knightearned Joker actor Heath Ledger a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, recognizing a performance that has become one of the most iconic villain roles of all time. Nolan went on to makeInception, which starred incredible talent such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Cillian Murphy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Caine, and Marion Cotillard.
The strength of a Nolan movie ensemble was especially recognized in last year’sOppenheimer. The epic biopic was nominated for numerous awards for its performances, winningOscars for Best Actorfor Murphy and Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr. Nolan’s next movie, which will be an adaptation ofThe Odyssey, will be no exception when it comes to top-tier casting, as early news has reported the casting of Tom Holland, Matt Damon, Zendaya, and Robert Pattinson. Even one of Nolan’s earliest works was perfectly cast, and its lead actor discusses how he made the cut.
Guy Pearce Convinced Nolan To Cast Him In Memento
Bigger Name Actors Were Considered For The Role
Guy Pearce reveals how he ended up cast inMemento. The time-bending drama is Nolan’s second feature, afterFollowing, and was released in 2000. It features Pearce as a grieving man named Leonard who is experiencing severe amnesia after his wife’s murder. to find who did it and seek revenge, Leonard must rely on photographs he takes, tattoos he puts on his body, and the unreliable kindness of others, in a story that goes backwards in time.Mementohelped put Nolan on the map, earning him anAcademy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
Christopher Nolan’s 12 Movie Casts Ranked
Christopher Nolan has assembled some outstanding ensemble casts of the years, and he isn’t afraid to make one or two risky casting choices.
Speaking withBusiness Insider, Pearce reveals how he got cast inMemento. According to the actor, he was inspired by stories of other actors being incessantly “committed” to getting a part. Upon meeting Nolan, Pearce really wanted to do the film, and, as a result,called Nolan up and said he was “really keen to do [his] movie.“Nolan thanked him for letting him know, and eventually gave Pearce the part, but not before asking Brad Pitt first. Check out the full quote from Pearce below:
BUSINESS INSIDER: If the myth is true, “Memento” is kind of the opposite of what happened on “L.A. Confidential.” Instead of the director calling you, you called the director.
PEARCE: Well, I had always read these stories about directors saying how committed actors were to landing a role: “They slept on my porch, I knew he was the guy.” I remember reading these and thinking, “Does that really work?” So I read “Memento” and really loved it, I met with Chris and then I watched “Following.” I was really locked in and wanted to do it.
So I go to my agent, Chris, and I tell him, “I think I should ring Chris Nolan just so he knows that I’m really keen to do this.” So I did, and I said, “I’m really sorry to do this but by all accounts this seems to work in this town, I’m really keen to do your movie, I would really love to do this.” And in typical Chris Nolan fashion, he just said, “Well, okay, thank you for letting me know.” I just felt if other actors are in the running he should know I really wanted to do it.
BUSINESS INSIDER: I believe actors like Charlie Sheen and Alec Baldwin were also in the running.
PEARCE: I have no idea. I remember Jeff Goldblum was in the mix, and Brad Pitt was the first ask. I felt, this script is so good I’m going to lose this to a name actor, I have to put my hand up. Also, I was cheap.
Our Take On Memento’s Casting
Memento Was Well-Cast
It is good thatMemento’s casting worked out the way it did, because the movie changed the careers of both Pearce and Nolan. For the actor, it gave him visibility and helped kick-start his career. ForNolan,Mementoreally put him on the map as a director. Pearce’s stirring performance as Leonard greatly assisted the film, making it the modern classic it is known as today.
Memento
Cast
Christopher Nolan’s Memento is a psychological thriller that tells the story of Leonard, a former insurance investigator who suffers from a disease that prevents his brain from storing short-term memories. The one thing he can remember is murder of his wife, for which he wishes to exact revenge. Starring Guy Pearce and Carrie-Anne Moss, the movie was released in 2000 to widespread acclaim, launching the director’s successful Hollywood career.
