“Complete lack of any seating options” - When Cillian Murphy addressed Nolan’s no-chair policy during his Golden Globes 2024 speech

The Golden Globes 2024 Awards held at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on January 8, 2024, saw Irish actor Cillian Murphy clinching the Best Actor award. His compelling portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan’s critically acclaimed biographical drama Oppenheimer earned him the award.

In his acceptance speech at the Golden Globes 2024, Cillian Murphy reflected on the journey that led to this monumental achievement and shed light on the unique dynamics of working with Christopher Nolan, considered one of the most visionary directors of modern cinema.

Amid his heartfelt gratitude for the cast and crew, Murphy humorously addressed a long-standing rumor about Nolan’s no-chair policy on set. He said,

“I could tell by the level of rigor, the level of focus, the level of dedication, the complete lack of any seating options for actors that I was in the hands of the visionary director and master.”

---

What did Cillian Murphy say about Christopher Nolan’s no-chair policy at the Golden Globes 2024?

During his Golden Globes 2024 speech, Cillian Murphy described the distinctive atmosphere on Nolan’s sets, characterized by meticulous attention to detail, unyielding focus, and a collaborative spirit.

While expressing his admiration for Nolan’s directorial approach, Murphy acknowledged the widely-discussed lack of chairs on set, playfully confirming at the Golden Globes 2024,

“I could tell by the level of rigor, the level of focus, the level of dedication, the complete lack of any seating options for actors, that I was in the hands of a visionary director and master.”

Cillian Murphy’s comments were met with laughter and applause at Golden Globes 2024, but they also highlighted the demanding environment Nolan fosters to push creative boundaries.

Thanking Nolan and producer Emma Thomas for their faith in him over two decades, Murphy underscored the importance of the ensemble cast, which included Hollywood heavyweights like Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, and Gary Oldman. He expressed profound gratitude for their support, calling the collaborative process magical and pivotal to the film’s success.

---

More details explored on the no-chair policy mentioned by Cillian Murphy at the Golden Globes 2024

The mention of Nolan’s alleged no-chair policy dates back to 2012 when Anne Hathaway, who worked with Nolan on The Dark Knight Rises, remarked in an interview that chairs were not allowed on his sets. According to Hathaway, Nolan believed that if people had chairs, they would sit and become less productive.

Anne Hathaway’s comments sparked widespread debate, with some criticizing the policy while others praised the director’s commitment to maintaining an active, engaged set. However, Nolan’s team later clarified that chairs were not banned altogether. Instead, the director chose not to use director’s chairs near the video monitor, often reserved for specific crew members.

An official statement from Christopher Nolan’s spokesperson explained,

“Cast and crew can sit wherever and whenever they need, and frequently do. For the record, the only things banned from Nolan’s sets are cell phones (not always successfully) and smoking (very successfully).”

---

Details on Golden Globes 2025 explored

The 82nd Golden Globe Awards is set to honor the best in film and American television productions from 2024. Scheduled for January 5, 2025, the ceremony will air live on CBS, with comedian Nikki Glaser as the host.

The nominations, announced on December 9, 2024, during a press conference at The Beverly Hilton, were presented by actors Morris Chestnut and Mindy Kaling after an introduction by Golden Globes president Helen Hoehne. Leading the nominations in film is Emilia Pérez, setting a record as the most-nominated comedy or musical film in Golden Globes history with ten nods.

The Brutalist followed closely with seven nominations, and Conclave garnered six. In television, The Bear took the lead with five nominations, while Shōgun and Only Murders in the Building received four.

---

Interested viewers can watch the Golden Globes 2025 on Paramount+, given they have an active subscription.