Advertisement
Sections
Explained: Why Christopher Nolan's next film isn't backed by Warner Bros
Though Warner Bros released Christopher Nolan's Tenet exclusively in theatres last year, that did not stop the filmmaker from criticising the production house for releasing its subsequent films simultaneously on HBO Max during the pandemic.
After a public fallout over release strategy with Warner Bros, Christopher Nolan’s next film, about J Robert Oppenheimer and the development of the atom bomb, will be released by Universal Pictures.
Representatives for the studio confirmed Tuesday that Universal has acquired the rights to finance and distribute Nolan’s not-yet-titled film. Deadline first reported the deal. Nolan also wrote the script of the film about the theoretical physicist. Production is expected to begin early next year.
Advertisement
Warner Bros and Christopher Nolan go way back
- With only a handful of exceptions, Warner Bros had long been home to Nolan, going back to Insomnia in 2002.
- With the studio, Nolan made The Dark Knight trilogy (2005, 2008, and 2013), the mind-bending Inception (2010), the Oscar Best Picture nominee Dunkirk (2017),and the time-traveling Tenet (2020).
- Warner Bros also handled international distribution of The Prestige (2006) and Interstellar (2014).
- Last year, Warner Bros launched Tenet in theaters in September at a time when much of the film industry was timid about releasing big-budget movies.
- The sci-fi thriller ultimately grossed $363.7 million, making it easily the biggest Hollywood pandemic release of the year.
- But when Warner Bros in December announced plans to release all of its 2021 films simultaneously on HBO Max, Nolan — long an ardent advocate for the theatrical experience — was one of the studio’s harshest critics.
- In a statement, he said “some of our industry’s biggest filmmakers and most important movie stars went to bed the night before thinking they were working for the greatest movie studio and woke up to find out they were working for the worst streaming service.”
- “Warner Bros had an incredible machine for getting a filmmaker’s work out everywhere, both in theaters and in the home, and they are dismantling it as we speak,” wrote Nolan.
- “They don’t even understand what they’re losing. Their decision makes no economic sense, and even the most casual Wall Street investor can see the difference between disruption and dysfunction.”
- Shortly thereafter, he called the studio’s plans “a mess."
- “It’s a unilateral decision that the studio took. They didn’t even tell the people involved,” Nolan said.
- “You have these great filmmakers who worked with passion and diligence for years on projects that are intended to be feature films with fantastic movie stars. And they’ve all now been told that they’re a loss-leader for a fledgling streaming service.”
What is Nolan's new movie about?
- The subject is American theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer, who helped develop the atomic bomb during World War II.
- According to Deadline, the plot details are sketchy but the new movie will focus on Oppenheimer, who is considered one of the fathers of the atom bomb.
- He was a pivotal figure in the Manhattan Project — the World War II undertaking that developed the first nuclear weapons.
- Cillian Murphy, one of Nolan''s frequent collaborators, is said to be a possible member of the ensemble, but casting has yet to take place.
- Filming on the Oppenheimer picture is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2022.
- The project will be produced by Nolan alongside his wife and longtime producing partner Emma Thomas for their Syncopy Inc banner.
First Published:Sep 15, 2021, 12:40:00 IST
Advertisement
Advertisement
How Spider-Man actor Tom Holland has been on a sobriety journey of 4.5 years after being "addicted to alcohol"
Tom Holland has been open about his struggle with alcohol addiction and his 4.5-year sobriety journey, even at the height of his Spider-Man and The Odyssey fame.
3 min read
Sitar virtuoso Rishab Sharma steals the spotlight with Rs 35.8 lakh Jacob & Co Ram Janmabhoomi watch at ‘Ramayana’ event: Here's what makes it rare
Sitarist Rishab Sharma grabbed attention at the Ramayana event with a limited-edition Rs 35.8 lakh Jacob & Co. Epic X Ram Janmabhoomi watch. Here's what makes the luxury timepiece so special.
2 min read
Amitabh Bachchan reveals being admitted to the ICU and undergoing surgery, calls recovery 'the most difficult phase of life'
Amitabh Bachchan has revealed he was hospitalised, underwent surgery and spent time in the ICU. The veteran actor reflected on the emotional and physical challenges of recovery in a deeply personal blog post.
2 min read
Avengers Doomsday trailer out: What to expect from Marvel's ultimate crossover
Marvel Studios has dropped the first trailer for Avengers: Doomsday. From Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom and Chris Evans' return to the X-Men crossover, here's everything you need to know.
3 min read
Christopher Nolan banned the orchestra for 'The Odyssey': The sound of gongs, scrap metal and more
Composer Ludwig Göransson reveals how he built the epic's entire sound world from bronze gongs, scrap metal and ancient Greek instruments like the aulos and lyre.
2 min read
Advertisement
Advertisement