Everything We Know About Christopher Nolan’s Atomic-Bomb Movie, Oppenheimer

2 years ago

Christopher Nolan’s eagerly anticipated biographical drama “Oppenheimer” recently dropped its explosive poster (literally), and the first look alone is chill-inducing. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning 2005 biography “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer,” the movie centres on the life of the titular physicist, who developed the first nuclear weapon. The screenplay for the star-studded film was penned by the Oscar-winning filmmaker along with Kai Bird and Martin Sherwin, who originally co-wrote the acclaimed book.

With Cillian Murphy starring in the leading role of Oppenheimer, the project boasts a sprawling, star-powered ensemble, including Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, and Matt Damon. Read on for more information about “Oppenheimer,” including its plot, release date, complete A-list lineup, and more.

Getty / Theo Wargo

"Oppenheimer" Plot

Though the plot details are tightly under wraps, the screen adaptation of the theoretical physicist’s biography will take place against the backdrop of World War II. The plot will likely centre on Oppenheimer, also known as the “father of the atomic bomb,” and his contributions to the Manhattan Project as the head of the Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico.

Getty / Kevin Winter

"Oppenheimer" Cast

The star-studded lineup for “Oppenheimer” is pretty much any director’s dream assembly. The long list of cast members includes Murphy as Oppenheimer; Blunt as the physicist’s wife, Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer; Pugh as Jean Tatlock, a physician who was a former lover of Oppenheimer; Benny Safdie as Edward Teller, dubbed “the father of the hydrogen bomb”; Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss; and Damon as Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves.

The stacked cast also includes Rami Malek, Josh Hartnett, Olivia Thirlby, Matthew Modine, Dylan Arnold, Kenneth Branagh, Gary Oldman, Tony Goldwyn, Alex Wolff, Matthias Schweighöfer, David Rysdahl, Josh Peck, Jason Clarke, David Dastmalchian, Dane DeHaan, and Jack Quaid.

Getty / Jon Kopaloff

"Oppenheimer" Release Date

“Oppenheimer” will come out exclusively in theaters on July 21, 2023.

Universal Pictures

"Oppenheimer" Poster

On July 21, Universal Pictures released the official poster for “Oppenheimer,” which sees Murphy’s Oppenheimer silhouetted by a cloud of smoke (from an explosion, no doubt). The poster reveals the movie tagline, “The World Forever Changes.”

Getty / Michael Loccisano

"Oppenheimer" Trailer

According to Variety, the official “Oppenheimer” teaser trailer is screening with showings of Jordan Peele’s recently released horror thriller, “Nope.” The first trailer for Nolan’s previous release, 2020’s “Tenet,” only had a theatrical release, and it remains unclear whether “Oppenheimer”‘s first trailer will follow suit. In any case, you’ll have to visit a movie theatre to see the “Oppenheimer” trailer for now.