In a recent appearance on ‘The Drew Barrymore Show,’ legendary actor Gary Oldman expressed profound gratitude for the pivotal roles he played in the ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Batman’ film franchises, attributing them to a significant career resurgence during a challenging period.
Oldman recounted a tumultuous time in his life at the age of 42 when he found himself divorced and granted custody of his sons. The changing landscape of the film industry, with productions relocating to various international destinations, prompted him to turn down numerous job opportunities. Reflecting on this period, Oldman remarked, “Thank God for ‘Harry Potter.’ Thank God for ‘Harry Potter.’ I tell you, the two — ‘Batman’ and ‘Harry Potter’ — really, they saved me, because it meant that I could do the least amount of work for the most amount of money and then be home with the kids.”
During the filming of Christopher Nolan’s “Batman Begins” in 2005, Oldman’s commitment to parenting led to frequent transatlantic journeys between his home in Los Angeles and the London film set. Despite the logistical challenges, Oldman commended director Christopher Nolan for adhering to the production schedule, allowing him to balance work commitments with his responsibilities as a parent. “When we did the first Batman…London doubled for Gotham. I did 27 round trips of flying back from LA,” Oldman explained, describing his relentless efforts to stay connected with his children.
Variety reports that Gary Oldman’s personal life has faced scrutiny, particularly during his divorce from Donya Fiorentino in 2001, with allegations of domestic assault. Despite the accusations, a judge awarded Oldman custody of his two sons after dismissing Fiorentino’s claims. The controversy resurfaced in 2018 amid Oldman’s Oscar win for “Darkest Hour,” prompting his son Gulliver to publish an open letter defending his father.
In the letter, Gulliver referred to Gary Oldman as his “one and true guiding light” and “only hero,” emphasizing that the allegations had been addressed and settled years ago. The supportive statement aimed to counter renewed attention to the past accusations during a moment of celebration for Oldman’s career achievements.
Closing the chapter on past controversies, Gary Oldman continues to be celebrated for his contributions to cinematic classics and acknowledges the profound impact of franchises like ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Batman’ in shaping his enduring legacy in the film industry.
