Makers of one of the biggest movies in the history of cinema, Christopher Nolan’s World War II epic Oppenheimer is expected to earn over a billion dollars globally after its release in China just days ago. Not only has it broken multiple records, but it has also quickly become one of the most celebrated movies of 2023. Starring Cillian Murphy at its helm, it also boasts a stellar cast that includes Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, and many more.
But what prompted Nolan to make the movie was not the money it would take or eventually make at the box office, but rather a much bigger reason.
Why did Christopher Nolan Make Oppenheimer?
A celebrated director like Christopher Nolan little needs a reason to make a movie as great as the biographical drama, Oppenheimer. When having a $100 million budget, most would jump at the opportunity while others might avoid it, not wanting to risk failure. But when it comes to filmmakers like Nolan, he would rather readily be up for the challenge.
However, it wasn’t the money nor the challenge that enticed him to make the movie, but rather the poignant yet endearing tale that ultimately convinced him. In an interview with the Independent, the director stated,
“The film I wanted to make couldn’t have been done smaller. It’s not about money, it’s not about budget – the magnitude of the story is what attracted me to it. The fact that Oppenheimer and his fellow scientists couldn’t completely eliminate the possibility that they might set fire to the atmosphere and destroy the entire world, but still triggered the test – the idea of someone taking that risk on behalf of all of us and all our descendants. There’s nothing bigger than that.”
Cillian Murphy Was Surprised By Oppenheimer Casting Call
Many know of the great friendship between Christopher Nolan and Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy. While Nolan has always wanted to cast him as a lead for a long time, he never had a chance until Oppenheimer came along.
While Murphy reciprocated the same feeling, he was nonetheless left surprised by the call. Murphy revealed the details while talking to the Independent,
“In typical Chris fashion, he didn’t tell me he was writing a script. There was no build-up or warning; he just called me out of the blue and said, ‘Would you like to play him?’ I’d be lying if I said I didn’t desperately want to play a lead for him. I think any actor in the world would want to work with Chris, whatever size the part. It was a dream.”
And that is how the masterpiece was created which has so far made over more than $853 million globally.
Oppenheimer is in theatres now.
Source: Independent
