Christopher Nolanis not only an Academy Award winner, but he’s also a father of four children, all of whom have made cameos in his movies.
TheOppenheimerdirector welcomed his first child and only daughter, Flora, with his wife Emma Thomas in 2001. The pair, who collaborate on all of his movies, went on to have three more children: Oliver, Rory and Magnus.
While Christopher has directed 10 films, Thomas has served as the producer on all of them, meaning the four Nolan children grew up on film sets.
“Sometimes people will say to me, ‘Gosh, how do you do it? You have four kids and you make these big movies,’ ” Thomas toldVanity Fairin 2018 of how she and Christopher balance work and family. “But the fact that I work with my children’s father means I can bring my kids to work. I have a massive advantage.”
From starring in their dad’s movies to following in his footsteps, here’s everything to know about Christopher Nolan’s children.
Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas, and their kids Flora, Oliver, Rory, and Magnus, attend the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 10, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.Kevin Mazur/VF24/WireImage
Kevin Mazur/VF24/WireImage
Thomas and Nolan met at the University College London when they were students in 1989. They married in 1997, and four years later, welcomed their first daughter Flora in 2001. They went on to welcome Oliver, Rory and Magnus soon after, with the latter being born in 2008.
Christopher spoke about how the fateful moment of meeting his wife at the UCL residence hall led to their future family when accepting an honorary doctorate in 2017.
“We have four children. We have a body of work that we have made together,” Christopher said at theceremony. “So, the moral of the story is: pay a lot of attention to who you meet on your first night at your halls of residence.”
They’ve all starred in Christopher’s movies
When his children were young, each made a cameo in one of his movies. Flora first appeared in 2014’sInterstellaras a girl on a truck being driven away. She also had a cameo in 2023’sOppenheimeras a burn victim whose face melts from the bomb.
Magnus’ moment in the spotlight was in 2010’sInceptionwhen he was just 2 years old as James, Cobb’s (Leonardo DiCaprio) toddler son.
Flora is a student at New York University
Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas attend the AFI Awards on January 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.Jesse Grant/Getty
Jesse Grant/Getty
Flora seems to be following in her parents’ footsteps with a career in film. The college student attends New York University, where she is set to graduate in 2024, and studies collaborative arts, which combines teachings in all aspects of performing arts.
“I am interested in so many things it was hard to narrow it down,” she shared in aQ&A with NYU. “I think initially I was worried that Collaborative Arts may not give me as much structure or discipline as a film or acting major, but I’ve discovered that Collaborative Arts is really what you make of it. I’ve developed so many new interests that I may not have been able to explore in another program.”
She added that at the moment she’s passionate about shooting with a Super 8mm camera, which she learned from her dad.
“My dad taught me how to shoot on Super 8 when I was younger and I’ve been into it ever since,” she said. “I just love the way it looks. Shooting on film has given me a really great understanding of light and color and I would love to shoot on larger format if I get a chance.”
One of Christopher’s films is an ode to fatherhood
Though many of Christopher’s films have been about serious topics,Interstellarwas one of his most personal projects.
“I do not think Chriscould have or would have made this film 12 years ago when we didn’t have kids,” Thomas toldEntertainment Weeklyin October 2014 upon its release.
The story touches on fatherhood and what it means to be there for one’s child.Jessica Chastain, who plays the main character’s grown daughter in the film, said she understood what the movie was about after she ran into Flora on set.
“One day, I noticed this girl. She was really shy and sweet. I went up to her, and she told me her name. And she was Chris’ daughter,” Chastain toldEW. “All of the clues fell into place. You had to be a little bit of a detective, and when I figured it out, I was incredibly moved:Interstellaris a letter to his daughter.”
Though Christopher never said it was a dedication to his daughter himself, he did agree that the film is about being a parent and the difficulties of leaving a child to go to work.
Christopher’s working titles are named after his kids
Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan arrive at the 49th Cesar Film Awards on February 23, 2024 in Paris, France.Pascal Le Segretain/Getty
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty
Nolan started using fake names after theBatmantrilogy catapulted him to fame.The Dark Knightwas originally under the working titleRory’s First Kiss, whileInceptionwas shot under the nameOliver’s Arrow. The next installment in theBatmantrilogy wasThe Dark Knight Risesand was under the working titleMagnus Rex.Interstellar, meanwhile, was shot under the working titleFlora’s Letter.
They have accompanied him on red carpets
Now that his children are older, Christopher has started bringing them to red carpet events, including the U.K. premiere ofOppenheimerin July 2023.
source: people.com
