John Leguizamo revealed that director Christopher Nolan proactively prepared him for a unique on-set environment prior to filming "The Odyssey," a Greek epic starring Tom Holland. Nolan's primary instruction was a strict no-phone policy, a rule designed to foster genuine human interaction among the cast and crew.
"He prepared me himself," Leguizamo told Polygon. "He said, 'You know, you're not gonna be able to have a phone.' Nobody has a phone, so we all have to talk and hang out, which is incredible."
This adherence to a phone-free set is a hallmark of Nolan's directorial approach. Tom Holland, also part of "The Odyssey" cast, previously shared his experience with the policy, recounting how he had to discreetly seek score updates for a Europa League game from crew members while filming in Los Angeles. He noted that the energy derived from catching the game's conclusion during a lunch break positively impacted his performance on set.
Leguizamo also highlighted Nolan's immersive directing style, emphasizing that the director actively shares the challenging experiences of his actors. "The pace that he goes at is intense," Leguizamo said. "He's there with you. He is behind the camera, where all directors should be, because that's where you can see an actor's soul, from that length. And he's in the elements, man. If it's freezing, he's freezing. If you're in a windstorm, he's in that windstorm. You never feel alone. He's always protecting you."
"The Odyssey" is scheduled for release in theaters on July 17.