Robin Williams, best known for his prowess in comedic acts and movies has left a prominent mark in the industry. The comedian-turned-actor has appeared in a handful of significant movies including Dead Poets Society and Good Will Hunting.

Robin Williams

Williams has been a funny man for almost the entirety of his life entertaining millions but it was never easy to bring Christopher Nolan aboard his laughter club. However, it was not surprising as the director stayed focused on his movie alone even when Williams tried to make Nolan laugh with his jokes on the set of his 2002 movie Insomnia.

Christopher Nolan’s Poor Reception to Robin Williams’ Comedy

Christopher Nolan

Robin Williams’ comedy has graced millions with laughter. The late actor was always in pursuit of comedy even when he was at the prime of his career as an actor. Certainly, His prowess was not limited to the genre of comedy. He has appeared in several dramatic roles before but his collaboration with Christopher Nolan made the actor go even further to play a villain for the first time.

Williams was far from taking a break from comedy, the Hook and Jumanji actor provided doses of funny jokes between the takes. “He [Robin Williams] likes to perform,” Nolan told Seattle PI.

“He could see I wasn’t receptive to his comedy between takes, but he was always entertaining the crew. Then I’d say ‘action,’ and he’d just go right into what he was doing. I’ve seen his performance many times, and it’s scarily real. There are moments when you don’t think he was acting at all. He’s an incredible talent,” he added.

Certainly, Nolan got the best of Williams from his incredible performance in the movie. As for Williams, was was never disheartened by his failed attempt to include Nolan as his audience to his laughter special.

Casting Robin Williams in Insomnia

Al Pacino and Robin Williams in Christopher Nolan’s Insomnia

Williams’ co-star Al Pacino was already in Nolan’s mind and he wanted an actor of a different stature opposite Pacino’s character. Later, Williams’ name popped up and the director immediately felt that the Good Will Hunting actor would be the perfect fit for the villainous role in the remake of the 1997 Norwegian film of the same name. The director wanted someone who would stand as dominating or equal to Pacino’s character and Williams helped to maintain the much-needed balance as the director envisioned. “I wasn’t interested in any kind of inversion of his comic persona, some kind of manic villain,” Nolan once told BBC.

“What I wanted him to do, and what he was excited to do, was to play a character the likes of someone he’s never played before – an unexceptional character. He’s a guy who, if he was sitting next to you on the bus, you wouldn’t give a second glance. Robin’s never done that before. He’s played bad guys before, he’s done dramatic roles, but he’s never played somebody utterly ordinary.”

Further, on directing the great actors, Nolan said that despite having different methods, they perform with such fluidity that “there’s a very natural, almost unconscious, ability to mesh their style of performance with the other actors.” All he had to do was help them get along.