Cillian Murphy Set to Star as J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan’s Next Film

Per Deadline, Universal Pictures and Christopher Nolan’s Syncopy have confirmed that Cillian Murphy (The Dark Knight, Dunkirk) will star in filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s next film, Oppenheimer, as the titular scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer, “the father of the atomic bomb.” The film is currently due out for a July 2023 release.

Universal Pictures recently landed the rights to the film after a heated bidding war with other major studios. The film will be shot in IMAX, with Universal Pictures releasing the film theatrically worldwide and in North America. Universal also agreed to accommodate Nolan’s desired 100-day theatrical window for the film.

Cillian Murphy will be re-teaming with Nolan, who he has worked with on multiple films in the past, including The Dark Knight trilogy and Dunkirk. Nolan is writing and directing the project, which will be produced by Emma Thomas and Atlas Entertainment’s Charles Roven and Nolan himself. It will be based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer written by Kai Bird and the late Martin J. Sherwin.

Speaking on the project, Universal Film Entertainment Group Chairwoman Donna Langley stated, “Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas’ films have shattered the limits of what cinematic storytelling can achieve. We are thrilled to be working alongside them on this exceptional and extraordinary project and are grateful for their shared passion and commitment to the theatrical experience.”

Production will begin on Oppenheimer early next year. It will be shot with a combination of IMAX 65mm and 65mm large-format film cameras. Nolan will be collaborating with cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema, editor Jennifer Lame, and composer Ludwig Göransson (Tenet, The Mandalorian).

Oppenheimer is due out in theaters on July 21, 2023.