Christopher Nolan bans UGG boots on set of 'The Odyssey' to preserve immersion

Director Christopher Nolan confirmed that actors on the set of his 2026 epic film *The Odyssey* are prohibited from wearing UGG boots. He explained that the soft, modern footwear serves as a “signifier of modernity” that can pull performers out of the ancient‑Greek world he is trying to create. The rule, first noted during the production of *Oppenheimer*, was reiterated in interviews with CBS Mornings, where both Anne Hathaway and Matt Damon referenced the ban.

Nolan’s broader set discipline also includes bans on mobile phones and other contemporary distractions, reflecting his commitment to practical effects and immersive storytelling. The film, shot with extensive practical sets and IMAX cameras, has drawn widespread media attention across the United States, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, the United Kingdom and other regions.