Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer': Everything to Know

From the star-studded cast to the plot, here’s everything to know about Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer

Christopher Nolan's 12th cinematic creation is a hit!

Oppenheimer, which premiered on July 21, 2023, is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography titled American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer. It surpassed expectations on opening weekend, earning $82.4 million at the box office. Oppenheimer went on to make over $912 million worldwide throughout its theatrical run, becoming the highest grossing biopic of all time.

The film follows J. Robert Oppenheimer, played by Cillian Murphy, the scientist who famously led the Manhattan Project — the effort to create an atomic bomb during World War II.

In February 2022, Murphy spoke with Esquire U.K. about the film and revealed what very little he could.

"The difference with this story is everybody knows what happened. But [Christopher Nolan] is telling it in a different way. That's all I can say," he said.

Murphy shared that the role felt "immense and terrifying" when it was first presented to him.

"But if I felt it was easy, I wouldn't be interested. I do get nervous, anxious and insecure, but then you go, 'F--- it. I have been doing it for 25 years and I have done it before. So just keep going,' " he said.

Matt Damon, who also stars in the film, shared his take on Oppenheimer in March 2023. "Cillian is phenomenal. He's everything you would want him to be," he told Variety. "I think it's almost three hours. It goes so fast, it's great."

From the plot to the cast, here's everything to know about Oppenheimer.

What is Oppenheimer about?

The film is about the creation of the atomic bomb during World War II. More specifically, it follows J. Robert Oppenheimer, the man responsible for making the Manhattan Project a success.

In a statement to the Associated Press issued Dec. 13, 2022, Nolan said that utilizing IMAX technology "is massively important in transporting the audience into the mind and experience of this person who forever altered our world."

Is there a trailer for Oppenheimer?

The first peek at Oppenheimer arrived in July 2022 along with the film's announcement.

As images from the movie flash alongside a countdown clock, a voiceover described Murphy's character as "the most important man who ever lived," while a tagline reads, "The world forever changes."

The film's official trailer later dropped on Dec. 18, 2022.

The two-minute teaser opens with a massive explosion. The camera then cuts to Murphy's character, who appears to be orchestrating the creation of the infamous atomic bomb.

"They won't fear it until they understand it. And they won't understand it until they've used it," he can be heard saying. "Theory will only take you so far. I don't know if we can be trusted with such a weapon. But we have no choice."

In May 2023, Universal Pictures premiered a second trailer.

"This is a national emergency. We're in a race against the Nazis. And I know what it means if the Nazis have a bomb. We've got one hope," Murphy's character, Oppenheimer, says to a group of men in suits.

Believing that the Nazis have an 18-month head start on their own atomic bomb, Oppenheimer and Matt Damon's character, Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves, rush to recruit scientists from all across the country.

"Why? Why? How about because this is the most important thing to ever happen in the history of the world," Groves yells at a scientist who questions "why" he should move his family to the "middle of nowhere for who knows how long."

Oppenheimer and Groves are then seen having a private conversation.

"Are we saying there's a chance that when we push that button, we destroy the world?" the lieutenant asks, to which Oppenheimer replies, "Chances are near zero."

The trailer concludes with a speech from the legendary physicist.

"I can perform this miracle. The world will remember this day. Our work here will ensure a peace mankind has never seen," Oppenheimer says.

Who is in the cast?

Oppenheimer stars Cillian Murphy, who plays the titular character, J. Robert Oppenheimer. While speaking with Esquire U.K. earlier this year, the actor shared just how he planned to prepare for the role.

"There's a wealth of stuff out there and I will read it all," Murphy said. "I am never, ever going to understand quantum mechanics, no matter how hard or how many times people try to explain it to me. There's 0.0001 percent of the population on the planet who have the brainpower to understand that. But I can begin to understand, conceptually, what those guys were trying to do."

In October 2021, Deadline announced that Emily Blunt would play Oppenheimer's wife, Kitty.

Roughly a month later, Variety shared that Matt Damon and Robert Downey Jr. had joined the cast. Downey plays Lewis Strauss, who served two terms on the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, while Damon portrays Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves, who oversaw the construction of the Pentagon and directed the Manhattan Project.

In January 2022, Pearl Harbor's Josh Harnett was cast as Ernest Lawrence — a nuclear physicist who played an integral role in creating the atomic bomb.

Other members of the star-studded cast include Florence Pugh, who plays Oppenheimer's mistress, Jean Tatlock; Gary Oldman as President Harry S. Truman; and Jack Quaid and Rami Malek.

Turner & Hooch's Josh Peck also has a role in the film.

"With something like a Nolan movie, you know it can be great and he's setting you up to be great," Peck told FIO Clips. "All you have to do is rise to the occasion and be prepared. You feel those nerves until you get there on the day and you realize that 'Oh, this is just like anything else, it's just the best version of it.' "

The Drake & Josh alum went on to share his admiration for Murphy.

"The best part is you work with a guy like Cillian, who is one of our greatest actors, and then he's a gem of a person. You're like 'Oh, thank God. You're great and nice,' " he said.

Who is directing Oppenheimer?

Christopher Nolan directed Oppenheimer. It's Nolans' 12th film and sixth time working with Murphy. Previously, the pair worked together on three Batman films, Inception and Dunkirk.

"I'll always turn up for Chris, whatever the size of the part," Murphy told Variety. "Chris will call me up and I'm there. Isn't it wonderful that filmmakers are still making challenging, demanding films within the studio system, shot on film? I think he's flying the flag."

During an interview with Total Film, Nolan described Oppenheimer as one of his "most challenging projects."

"It's a story of immense scope and scale," he said. "There were big, logistical challenges, big practical challenges. But I had an extraordinary crew, and they really stepped up. I'm thrilled with what my team has been able to achieve."

Where was Oppenheimer filmed?

Oppenheimer was primarily filmed in New Mexico. Select scenes were filmed in New Jersey and California.

When will Oppenheimer be released?

The film hit theaters on July 21, 2023, where moviegoers enjoyed it on standard and IMAX screens.

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