It was a scene plucked straight from a stereotypical rom-com, the hopeful groom stuck in the comforts of the past, the bride-to-be ready to move on, the melodramatic split heard across the industry. The gut punch of a breakup between two of Hollywood’s most monumental figures ended a nineteen-year creative marriage that spanned nine films and billions of dollars at the box office. What made the partnership between director Christopher Nolan and Warner Bros. truly special was their unique ability to combine blockbuster filmmaking techniques with distinct auteur storytelling. Balancing superhero films with effects-driven think pieces, Nolan and the longstanding studio achieved unparalleled success as a creative duo.