Timothée Chalamet Names His All-Time Favorite Director

Timothée Chalamet and Matthew McConaughey recently looked back on their time filming the 2014 sci-fi epic Interstellar, offering a rare glimpse into the intense, “sacred” environment created by director Christopher Nolan. During a special Variety and CNN town hall at the University of Texas at Austin, Chalamet reflected on how the production served as a masterclass in professional discipline and artistic risk.

The conversation reached a highlight when Chalamet revealed that, despite his massive success with directors like Denis Villeneuve and Luca Guadagnino, Christopher Nolan remains his personal favorite. Nolan is my favorite director to this day. “The Dark Knight” made me want to act. “Inception” inspired me, Chalamet told the audience, recalling how he felt like he was walking on sacred ground while on the set of the space drama.

Chalamet noted that the level of seriousness Nolan and McConaughey brought to the work was life-changing for him as a young actor. I got a sense from you two that you felt like you were walking on sacred ground. It was hard to go back to college after that, he admitted, describing the set as a space where everyone was fully committed to the vision.

McConaughey echoed this sentiment, comparing Nolan’s leadership style to that of a dedicated general who is always the first on set and the last to leave. He also revealed how Nolan would often prioritize practical, “scrappy” filmmaking techniques over expensive technology to keep the performances grounded.

I remember going like, “Why wouldn’t you use the big cranes?” “Because it’s a waste of money. It’s only as good — or not as good — as this,” McConaughey recalled, describing a scene where Nolan used a simple hand-held gimbal to film him floating through space. This philosophy of keeping things simple and embracing the foolishness of acting is something both stars credit for their most impactful work.

Chalamet also shared a humorous but formative story about McConaughey challenging him to know the technical inner-workings of a tractor on the farm set. I thought you were half-joking, so I cracked a laugh, and you said, “No. You should really know,” Chalamet recalled, admitting he went home and researched the machinery to prove he was taking the role seriously.

While they reflected on their past, both actors are currently dominating the industry with major upcoming projects for 2026. Chalamet is currently in the spotlight for the sports-satire Marty Supreme, where he portrays a 1950s table tennis prodigy, and is preparing for the highly anticipated Dune: Part Three, set to debut on December 18.

Matthew McConaughey is also having a banner year, with his acclaimed crime thriller The Rivals of Amziah King scheduled for an August 22, release. The film, which features Kurt Russell and Cole Sprouse, has already earned a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes following its early festival screenings.

McConaughey is also set to star in The Lost Bus, an Apple TV+ disaster thriller about a real-life school bus driver’s heroism during the California wildfires. Additionally, he is reportedly working on a new project for Netflix with True Detective creator Nic Pizzolatto, titled The Brothers Project, alongside Cole Hauser.

Despite being global superstars, both men emphasized the importance of remaining vulnerable and avoiding the arrogance that often comes with advice-giving in Hollywood. Beware of the people in life that get more of the advice they give you than you get at the advice, Chalamet warned, thanking McConaughey for never “flexing” on him during their decade of friendship.

Tell us what you think about Christopher Nolan being Timothée’s favorite director and your favorite memory from Interstellar in the comments!