Christopher Nolan still doesn't own a phone and this is how he contacts actors

Christopher Nolan remains one of Hollywood's most influential filmmakers, but according to longtime collaborator Matt Damon, the Oscar-winning director still doesn't own a mobile phone.

Speaking exclusively to People while promoting The Odyssey, Damon revealed that Nolan's communication methods are as old-school as ever, relying on his wife and producing partner, Emma Thomas, to prepare actors for his calls.

"You get a text from Emma saying, 'Chris is going to call you,'" Damon explained. "Then your phone rings from some random Universal number."

The actor said the unusual routine has become instantly recognisable among Nolan's collaborators, who know that an incoming call from an unfamiliar studio number almost certainly means the director is on the other end.

Nolan's refusal to own a smartphone has become one of Hollywood's most enduring quirks. Despite directing billion-dollar blockbusters and overseeing massive international productions, he continues to avoid mobile technology, preferring direct conversations and traditional methods of communication.

Damon recently reunited with Nolan for The Odyssey, in which he stars as the legendary Greek hero Odysseus. The film marks their third collaboration after Interstellar and the Oscar-winning Oppenheimer.

The director has previously explained that avoiding smartphones helps minimise distractions and allows him to focus entirely on filmmaking. He has also long avoided using email, instead relying on Emma Thomas and his production team to handle much of his day-to-day communication.

Nolan's analogue approach extends to his film sets as well. Cast and crew have often described his productions as distraction-free environments, with strict rules limiting the use of phones and encouraging everyone to stay immersed in the filmmaking process.

Although his communication style may seem unusual in 2026, it has clearly not slowed him down. The Odyssey opened in cinemas on July 17, bringing together an ensemble cast that includes Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong'o, Elliot Page and John Leguizamo.

For Damon, receiving one of Nolan's rare phone calls remains an event in itself—even if it always begins with a text from Emma Thomas warning that an unknown number is about to ring.