This 'The Dark Knight' Line "Kills" Christopher Nolan

Christopher Nolan has opened up about a line of dialogue from his 2008 film, 'The Dark Knight,' that continues to weigh on his mind.

In a recent interview with Deadline, the acclaimed director delved into the treatment of the real-life Robert Oppenheimer by the US government following his pivotal role in World War II. In Nolan's upcoming film, 'Oppenheimer,' Cillian Murphy portrays the American physicist, who is renowned as 'the father of the atomic bomb' for his contributions to the development of nuclear weapons during the war. These weapons were infamously used in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

Also Read: Christopher Nolan Left an Endearing Message on Cillian Murphy’s ‘Oppenheimer’ Script

Nolan draws parallels between Oppenheimer's experiences and a line of dialogue from 'The Dark Knight,' which was penned by his brother, Jonathan Nolan. Reflecting on the line, "You either die a hero or you live long enough to become the villain," Nolan expresses his deep connection to its meaning.

The director initially struggled to grasp the significance of the line when he first encountered it in his brother's script. However, as time passed, Nolan found that the sentiment behind the dialogue became increasingly profound and relevant. He explains, "It kills me because it’s the line that most resonates. And at the time, I didn’t even understand it... In this story, it’s absolutely that. Build them up, tear them down. It’s the way we treat people."