Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is bringing one of the most notable events in history to the big screen for all to experience the development and impact of the nuclear weapon during World War II. The movie reportedly presented an immersive experience to the audience.
The movie is based on the father of the atomic bomb, Julius Robert Oppenheimer, and is star-studded. Cillian Murphy played the lead role of the physicist Oppenheimer and Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, and several other prominent actors joined the film.
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Robert Downey Jr. and Cillian Murphy’s Salary Comparison in Oppenheimer
Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr. has been the highest-paid actor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Iron Man became one of the most celebrated and successful franchises from the studio. However, after the potential end of his MCU tenure, the star has appeared in a few movies outside the banner of the studio. Most recently, he appeared in a prominent role in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. But MCU’s highest-paid actor was paid less than the lead of the movie, Cillian Murphy.
Downey Jr. who played Lewis Strauss, a naval officer who served two terms on the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) earned $4 million while Murphy took home $10 million. However, collaborating with Nolan is not always about money. Most actors are always enthusiastic about working with the director and being featured in one of his most anticipated and historically significant film is a big deal. “Phone call from Christopher Nolan for Oppenheimer was unforgettable. It’s 20 years since I first met Chris, but even at that point, I was a fan, because I had seen Memento and Insomnia,” Murphy said after secretly waiting for 20 years to be in the lead in a Nolan movie.
The Iron Man star has also been fond of the director and recently revealed that he has followed every movie made by the director and thinks Oppenheimer is the greatest of all.
How Much Money the Rest of the Oppenheimer Cast Earned?
Other than Murphy and Downey Jr., the rest of the major cast have earned their fair share of the money. The Mary Poppins Returns actor Emily Blunt who played Katherine Oppenheimer in the film added $4 million to her $80 million net worth. Blunt, as per Variety, could easily command $10 million to $20 million on the open market, however, she reduced her salary for the privilege to work with Nolan.
The Martian actor, Matt Damon also lowered his fees extensively and earned $3 million for playing Leslie Groves. Florence Pugh was paid $1 million for her role as Jean Tatlock. Benny Safdie as Edward Teller earned $700,000 while Michael Angarano as Robert Serber got $500,000 and Josh Hartnett was paid $400,000 for playing Ernest Lawrence.
Oppenheimer was made with a budget of $100 million which is far too low compared to its rival Barbie which was made with $1140 million. Released on the same day, both the movie are running in theaters now. The box office battle of the two movies has started. Reportedly, Oppenheimer earned $10 million at the domestic box office while Barbie made $22.3 million in the Thursday previews.
Source: Variety.
