As Christopher Nolan’s summer blockbuster Oppenheimer keeps bagging millions of dollars at the global box office, the renowned cast appears to enjoy their fandom. Although the acclaimed filmmaker is not known for his female characters, he still offered limited screen time opportunities to a few Hollywood A-listers, like Emily Blunt and Florence Pugh.
Recalling her casting, Florence Pugh revealed how Christopher Nolan was ashamed to offer her a small role in Oppenheimer, which even led the filmmaker to apologize. Further, the Oscar nominee appears to suffer the wrath of PR and media over her small role that led her to deliver a headline-provoking n*de scene.
Also read: “Perfect metaphor for the whole film”: Christopher Nolan on Why Oppenheimer Trinity Test Was Silent
Christopher Nolan Was Ashamed Of Florence Pugh’s Small Role
Oppenheimer‘s stellar cast featured some pretty renowned stars who were offered limited screen-time by Christopher Nolan, as the movie simply focused on Cillian Murphy’s role. However, the filmmaker was heavily fixated on Florence Pugh’s small role in the summer blockbuster. Offering the rising star such a small role, even led Nolan to apologize out of shame.
Speaking with MTV UK, before the SAG-AFTRA strike, Florence Pugh mentioned how Nolan apologized for offering her a smaller role than the rest of the Oppenheimer cast. However, the Oscar nominee mentioned her willingness to work for the acclaimed filmmaker, no matter what. “I didn’t really know what was going on or what it was that was being made,” Pugh revealed.
“I knew that Chris really, really wanted me to know that it wasn’t a very big role, and he understands if I don’t want to come near it. And I was like, ‘Doesn’t matter. Even if I’m a coffee maker at a cafe in the back of the room, let’s do it.’”
Discussing Christopher Nolan’s sheer disappointment in himself for failing to offer her a more prominent role, the actress mentioned how the director apologized over and over. “I remember [Nolan] apologized by the size of the role. I was like, ‘Please don’t apologize.’” Pugh shared. She further added how Nolan was still waiting for her to read the script and then decide.
Florence Pugh’s Oppenheimer Role Landed Her In PR Nightmare
During the interview with MTV UK, Florence Pugh mentioned how Christopher Nolan highly doubted if she would accept the role after reading the script, despite Pugh’s constant assurance. “He said, ‘We’ll send you the script, and honestly, you just read it and decide if it’s like… I completely understand the sizing thing.’” the Oscar nominee shared.
However, Pugh later detailed, “I remember that evening when I got the script being like, ‘I don’t need to… I know I’m going to do it.’”. Evidently, the rising star appeared as Jean Tatlock, the love interest of J Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), and stunned the audience with her splendid performance.
Although, Florence Pugh had a small role in Oppenheimer, the actress’ appearance stirred some debate, especially after delivering a n*de s*x scene with Murphy. Audiences were specifically mad at the straightforward intimate scene and slammed the actress on social media. Eventually, the Oscar nominee’s limited screen time ended up being a PR nightmare for her.
Oppenheimer is currently running in theatres, worldwide.
Source: MTV UK
