‘The Odyssey’ Casting Director John Papsidera On What Every Actor Should Know

Christopher Nolan’s longtime casting director has spent a career finding the faces behind his biggest films; now he’s done it again for The Odyssey.

John Papsidera doesn’t just find actors, he finds the specific actor, the one who makes a director’s vision click into place. Over more than two decades, he’s cast the Dark Knight trilogy, built out the entire Dutton dynasty across Yellowstone, 1883 and 1923, and helped cast Oppenheimer to a Best Picture Oscar.

That relationship with Christopher Nolan is the throughline of his career, and it’s why his name sits in the credits of Nolan’s newest film, The Odyssey, which opened July 17, to record-setting box office for a Nolan release.

Across a handful of interviews with Casting Networks, he’s shared the philosophy behind that work, and it doubles as some of the most useful advice around for anyone hoping to book a role.

Key Insights

Long-term relationships and trust can open more doors than any single audition, making professionalism and consistency just as important as talent.

Casting directors want to see authentic choices and a clear point of view, not a polished performance that feels generic.

Preparation goes beyond memorizing lines—understanding the character, making bold choices, and adapting in the room helps actors stand out.

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Loyalty Is the Real Currency

Papsidera’s collaboration with Nolan goes back to Memento, and he’s candid about what’s kept it going for two decades. Discussing their partnership, he explained that Nolan doesn’t rely on general meetings to vet new talent.

The relationship is built on familiarity earned over time. As he put it, working together long enough means “you do get to know the director’s taste. You do develop trust. It’s a valuable currency.”

That’s a lesson for actors and collaborators alike: the goal isn’t just landing one job, it’s becoming someone a director wants to call again.

Read our full interview on casting Yellowstone and Oppenheimer →

Give Actors a Room Where They Can Actually Work

When discussing his approach to auditions while casting Lessons in Chemistry, Papsidera described the responsibility he feels toward the people walking into his room. He said his job is about helping performers feel safe enough to bring something real, describing his aim to “create space where actors can share a bit of their soul.”

He also pushed back on the idea that casting is primarily about surface presentation, arguing that being a human being should come before chasing a look built for a career. It’s a reminder that the audition room is a two-way relationship. The casting director is trying to see you clearly, and the best ones are actively working to make that possible.

Read our full interview on casting Lessons in Chemistry →

Generosity Builds Careers

Papsidera’s influence extends well beyond his own casting sessions. UK-based casting director Finnian Tweed, who now handles European casting for projects like Den of Thieves: Pantera, credits Papsidera with handing him major opportunities early in his career.

Tweed described the dynamic simply: working with Papsidera has been “a massive career break,” in large part because, as Tweed put it, “he trusts me.” Tweed’s own advice to actors auditioning for him echoes the same values Papsidera reiterates. Know who you’re meeting, be off-book, and don’t be afraid to bring a genuine point of view into the room rather than a generic read.

Read our full interview with Finnian Tweed →

Find the Essence of the Character

Casting Superman meant reinventing one of pop culture’s most scrutinized characters, and Papsidera says the process comes down to identifying a very specific, intangible quality in an actor rather than checking boxes against comic-book history.

Talking about David Corenswet’s audition, he was direct about what sealed the role, noting simply that “David checked all those boxes.” He’s also spoken about staying deliberately unattached to preconceived choices when reading a script, preferring to leave his options open until an actor’s specific chemistry, tone or presence reveals itself.

It’s a useful mindset shift for performers, too. Rather than trying to guess what a role “should” look like, the actors who stand out are the ones who bring something unmistakably their own to both the audition and the role.

Read our full interview on casting Superman →

Conclusion

Whether he’s populating a Montana ranching dynasty, a 1950s chemistry lab, or the battlefields of Homer’s mythologies in Greece, Papsidera’s advice keeps circling back to the same fundamentals: build real relationships, create room for honesty, and look for the character before the performance.

With The Odyssey drawing some of the biggest numbers of Nolan’s career, it’s another reminder that behind every unforgettable cast is a casting director paying attention to exactly those details. And whether you’re auditioning for a student film, a regional theater production, or a studio blockbuster, the same principles apply. Strong preparation, authentic choices, and a reputation for professionalism can leave a lasting impression with the casting director long after a single audition ends.

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