Folks, the movie battle of the year is on our doorsteps. Both Barbie and Oppenheimer are being released on the same day.
Now, if you were to think that these films weren’t in competition, you’d be wrong. These two pieces of art were super pricey to make, with a lot riding on some box office slays.
What’s more, Barbie was in development hell since 2014. Over the years, the likes of Diablo Cody and Amy Schumer have been attached to said project. It was only in the last few years that Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie signed on. Warner Bros, the producers of this film, want to know that they’ve made the right bet.
Meanwhile, Oppenheimer is the directorial return of Christopher Nolan, after his underwhelming flick Tenet. Yeah, Tenet. Remember its middling reviews? How all the characters talked too quietly? When Nolan insisted on it playing during the height of the COVID pandemic? Not great.
Luckily, Oppenheimer isn’t dropping during a health crisis. It has also received some encouraging early reviews.
As Josh Horowitz, the host of Happy Sad Confused podcast, said, “Oppenheimer is one of, if not Nolan’s best work. And that comes from a huge Nolan admirer. I’ve seen it twice. Impeccable immersive filmmaking of the highest order.”
Additionally, Nolan isn’t scared by it competing with Barbie. In fact, he’s excited about this prospect.
“I think for those of us who care about movies, we’ve been really waiting to have a crowded marketplace again, and now it’s here and that’s terrific,” Nolan told IGN.
Intrigued by this battle? Here are the Oppenheimer details you need to know.
What Is Oppenheimer About?
Oppenheimer is a historical film that’s loosely based on a biography of Julius Robert Oppenheimer. Based on the novel American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, Oppenheimer is a historical biopic that follows the life of Julius Robert Oppenheimer as he works on the Manhattan Project.
What Is the Manhattan Project?
The Manhattan Project was a top-secret research and development project undertaken during World War II with the goal of creating an atomic bomb. It was named after the Manhattan Engineer District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which oversaw the project. J. Robert Oppenheimer was one of the leading physicists who conducted research on the project, and is commonly known as the “father of the atomic bomb”.
The Manhattan Project had far-reaching consequences. It ushered in the nuclear age, with its destructive power changing the dynamics of global politics. It also spurred the development of nuclear energy and triggered a nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. While Oppenheimer and co. were regarded as heroes during World War II, it’s likely that Nolan’s film will have a more critical eye.
The Trailer
Oppenheimer’s Cast
Cillian Murphy will play the part of Julius Robert Oppenheimer. Before this work was filmed, Murphy collaborated with Nolan on a plethora of other films. These films include Inception, Dunkirk, and the Dark Knight trilogy.
This movie also stars the likes of Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, and Florence Pugh.
Oppenheimer’s Australian Release Date
Oppenheimer’s Australian release date is July 20, 2023. Click the link here to reserve your ticket.
Plus, as previously mentioned, Barbie also hits Aussie cinemas on July 20, 2023. This means you could go to these films on the same day and make them a double feature. Why make them fight when they can both have a glow up? Click the link here to make this dream a reality.
Related: Barbie Movie Details — Plot, Cast, Trailer, Australian Release Date
Related: Memento Holds the DNA to Every Christopher Nolan Movie Ever Made
Read more stories from The Latch and subscribe to our email newsletter.
