Robert Downey Jr. says Christopher Nolan only went to the bathroom twice a day on the set of 'Oppenheimer' to avoid wasting time

• "Oppenheimer" star Robert Downey Jr. said Christopher Nolan was strict about bathroom breaks.
• Downey said the director "deplores waste" and only had two planned bathroom breaks per day for himself.

Director Christopher Nolan is so opposed to wasting time while filmmaking that he only took two scheduled bathroom breaks a day on the set of "Oppenheimer."

"Oppenheimer" stars Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, and Robert Downey Jr. spoke about their experience working with Nolan on the critically acclaimed biopic in a new oral history for Vanity Fair, released on Friday.

When asked about past stories about Nolan's sets not being chair-friendly (because it can lead to unproductivity), Blunt said there was an apple box around to perch on if needed.

"Human resources are scarce," Downey joked. "And the idea is that this is a Spartan endeavor. And also, I think that Chris, from all the films that he's done, he deplores waste. He is a conservationist of the highest order."

The "Iron Man" star said that Nolan is extremely practical and works precisely.

"Everything is happening in front of the camera," Downey said. "There is no budget for anything that's not happening in front of the camera."

Downey said that Nolan's ultra-efficient approach to film sets applies to bathroom breaks, for him as well as the actors. Murphy previously told Collider that the director is "not that sympathetic to" restroom breaks.

"He doesn't even really like it when you go to the bathroom, but he understands you have to," Downey told Vanity Fair. "And I asked him, 'Dude, when do you go?' And he goes, '11 a.m. and 6 p.m.' And I was like, 'Are you fucking with me?'"

"And he drinks so much tea, how does he not go right through it?" Blunt pondered.

"I know, but it's not a diuretic tea," Downey replied, adding that Nolan is committed to the process.

"He won't ask anyone to do anything that he's not 1000% willing to do himself, twice as hard," Downey said.