Christopher Nolan explains why Uggs are banned from his movie sets
The director told Gayle King that the cozy boots can break the illusion on set, though he insists he has nothing against the brand.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
Christopher Nolan has a footwear rule for his film sets: leave the Uggs at home.
The director discussed the ban in an interview with Gayle King on Tuesday, saying the plush boots and slippers are too visibly tied to the present day for the worlds he is trying to build. Nolan called Uggs a “signifier of modernity” and said they “can actually weirdly take you out of reality.”
The rule has resurfaced during promotion for Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” his adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic. Variety reported that the film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus and Anne Hathaway as Penelope, roles that do not exactly invite memories of mall-era sheepskin footwear.
Nolan said the issue is practical as much as visual. Actors sometimes arrive in oversized, soft slippers because costume shoes can be painful, he told King. On a period set, though, the comfort fix can undercut the illusion.
The director also said the Ugg rule has become a running joke with Emily Blunt and Anne Hathaway. Variety described both actors as Ugg fans who have had to pause that loyalty while working with Nolan.
Nolan made clear that the ban is not a personal attack on the brand. Asked by King whether he had a problem with Ugg specifically, he replied, “Uggs are great.”
The Australian-inspired footwear brand has been part of Hollywood’s off-duty uniform for decades. Variety noted that Ugg was founded in Santa Monica, California, in 1978, and named Kate Moss, Paris Hilton, Leonardo DiCaprio and Sarah Jessica Parker among its famous wearers.
The outlet also pointed to several high-profile Ugg sightings over the years, including Beyoncé at the Super Bowl, Ashley Tisdale on a red carpet, Ben Affleck on a set outside Nolan’s orbit and Sienna Miller at the airport.
What styles were highlighted
Variety’s shopping roundup listed several Ugg and Ugg-style options tied to the celebrity footwear craze.
- Ugg Classic Mini II, listed at $175.
- Ugg Classic Short Boot, with one listing priced at $194.85.
- Ugg Tazz Slipper, listed at $149.95.
- Fireside by Dearfoams Perth Bootie, presented as a lower-priced alternative at $98.99, down from $147.
For Nolan, the distinction seems clear enough: Uggs may be fine for airports, red carpets and days off, according to his comments to King, but they are a tougher sell when the scene is meant to take place in ancient Greece.
This story draws on original reporting from Variety.