Christopher Nolan has decided to collaborate with Universal Pictures on his upcoming film on American theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer, who assisted in the development of the atomic bomb during WWII.
Last week, it was rumoured that Nolan and his agents were in negotiations with major Hollywood studios about the project, signalling the end of his cooperation with Warner Bros.
Last year, Nolan’s relationship with Warner Bros. deteriorated
Since 2002’s Insomnia, Nolan has worked exclusively with Warner Bros., including the critically acclaimed The Dark Knight trilogy and the most recent picture Tenet.
However, Nolan’s relationship with Warner Bros. deteriorated last year after the filmmaker voiced unhappiness with the studio’s decision to move its 2021 slate to a day-and-date theatrical and HBO Max streaming release.
Nolan was openly dissatisfied with the studio
Nolan had expressed “disbelief” at the decision. Nolan was openly dissatisfied with the studio.
referring to the situation “very, very complicated,” he said, adding that some films are “meant to be out there for the broadest possible audiences… And now they’re being utilised as a loss-leader for the streaming service…without their knowledge. As a result, there is a great deal of debate.”
Cillian Murphy might appear in the next military epic
According to Deadline, storyline specifics are few, but the new film will centre on Oppenheimer, who is regarded as one of the fathers of the atomic bomb.
He was a key figure in the Manhattan Project, the World War II project that created the first nuclear bombs.
Cillian Murphy, a frequent collaborator of Nolan’s, is rumoured to be a prospective member of the ensemble.
Filming is set to commence in the first quarter of 2022
Murphy has frequently collaborated with the director on projects such as Inception, Dunkirk, and two Dark Knight flicks.
However, casting has not yet taken place.
Production on the Oppenheimer film is set to begin in the first quarter of 2022.
Nolan will produce the picture alongside his wife and longtime producing partner Emma Thomas under their Syncopy Inc. label.
After the COVID-19 shutdown, ‘Tenet’ was released in theatres
Tenet, Nolan’s most recent spy thriller, was the first Hollywood tentpole to premiere in theatres following the coronavirus pandemic-forced lockdown. John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Michael Caine, and Kenneth Branagh appeared in the film.