Christopher Nolan has drawn a rare and powerful comparison between an actor in his new epic, The Odyssey, and the late Heath Ledger, whose performance as the Joker in The Dark Knight remains one of the most celebrated in cinematic history.

The Oscar-winning director revealed that actress Samantha Morton, who plays the goddess Circe, delivered a performance so stunning that it prompted a spontaneous round of applause from the film's crew. Nolan said this was a reaction he had only witnessed once before in his career.

"I was talking with Emma [Thomas]," Nolan said of his wife and producing partner, "and she remembered that the last time that had happened was with Heath Ledger on The Dark Knight".

Ledger’s iconic turn as the Joker in the 2008 blockbuster earned him a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor following his death at age 28. Morton, a two-time Academy Award nominee, has a limited but reportedly pivotal role in The Odyssey as the enchantress Circe.

Despite her brief screen time, Nolan believes her performance is essential to the film’s success. "This was a massive film and she is someone who comes in and changes the dynamic," Nolan told the Los Angeles Times. "In some weird way, the film lived or died over that character. She was the fulcrum". He added that he has always admired Morton’s work, stating, "She brings so much depth of thinking about her role, there are no limitations on her performance".

The praise for Morton aligns with some of the first reactions from critics following the film's recent premiere in London. Several journalists have singled out her performance as a standout moment in the epic adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek poem.

The Odyssey features a star-studded ensemble cast including Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, and Charlize Theron. The film is set for a worldwide theatrical release on July 17.