Oscar-winning Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan and his wife, producer Emma Thomas, have been recognised by King Charles III with a knighthood and a damehood for their contribution to film.
The couple, 54 and 53 respectively, were on Wednesday awarded the honours as part of Investitures at Buckingham Palace.
The British-American director revealed the King told him that he had seen his latest critically acclaimed biopic.
“He said he had seen Oppenheimer and enjoyed it,” Nolan, who wrote the screenplay for the blockbuster film about the race to create the atom bomb, said.
“It was very nice that he knew our work and was aware of it, and, yes, he was hoping that I would take this as encouragement to do more of it.”
The pair’s professional partnership includes producing major blockbusters such as The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception and Oppenheimer, with Thomas becoming the first British producer to win the Oscar for Best Picture.
In a social media post, the Royal Family’s account heralded the filmmakers and highlighted their sparkling careers.
“Arise, Sir Christopher Nolan and Dame Emma Thomas!” the official account wrote.
“Congratulations to all who received honours during today’s Investiture ceremonies, including film director Christopher Nolan and film producer Emma Thomas.
“The couple were recognised for their extraordinary contribution to film, with their partnership producing major blockbusters such as The Dark Knight trilogy and Oppenheimer.”
The couple met at University College London, where Nolan introduced Thomas into the film society, of which he was president, and married in 1997.
The couple co-founded their production company, Syncopy Inc., which has been the force behind their films since Batman Begins (2005).
Nolan’s advice to young filmmakers was to “find a good partner”, referring to his wife who he has been making films with since the day they met.
In March, the British government recommended the filmmakers in a list of honours by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that also included Conservative politicians and tech industry leaders.
Nolan’s next film is scheduled for release on July 17, 2026, and is expected to star Tom Holland, Matt Damon, Zendaya and Anne Hathaway.
Speculation has it that the film will be a remake of the 1960s television series The Prisoner.
Speaking to Empire Magazine, Thomas said it was a “very exciting time” for herself and her director husband.
“This is the moment where the possibilities are sort of limitless, we haven’t started thinking practicalities, or anything,” she said.
“Oppenheimer was so absurdly successful and we feel like we have an opportunity.”
