Nolan Begins Production on Oppenheimer Sequel: “Oppenheimest”

HOLLYWOOD, CA — Following the critical and commercial success of his biopic Oppenheimer, director Christopher Nolan announced today that he has begun production on a sequel, titled Oppenheimest. The film, which will continue the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer and his involvement in the Cold War and the nuclear arms race, will feature Cillian Murphy reprising his role as the physicist, along with Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., and a new addition to the cast: Tom Hardy as Edward Teller, Oppenheimer’s rival and the father of the hydrogen bomb.

“I’m very excited to explore the next chapter of Oppenheimer’s life and his complex relationship with Teller, who was both his friend and his enemy,” Nolan said in a press release. “This film will be even more epic and thrilling than the first one, with more explosions, more drama, and more IMAX. I’m also proud to say that we will be shooting some scenes in actual nuclear test sites, using real radioactive materials. It will be a truly immersive experience for the audience.”

According to sources close to the production, Oppenheimest will feature several historical events and figures, such as the Trinity test, the Soviet atomic bomb project, the Rosenberg trial, the McCarthy hearings, the Castle Bravo test, and President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The film will also delve into Oppenheimer’s personal life, including his affair with Jean Tatlock, his divorce from Kitty Oppenheimer, and his eventual marriage to Katherine Puening Harrison.

The film is expected to be released in July 2024, with a runtime of four hours and a budget of $200 million. Nolan also revealed that he is planning a prequel to the trilogy, titled Oppenheim, which will focus on Oppenheimer’s childhood and early education. “I think there’s a lot of potential in exploring how Oppenheimer became who he was, and what influenced his passion for physics and his moral dilemmas,” Nolan said. “It will be a very intimate and emotional film, with some flashbacks and nonlinear storytelling. I’m hoping to cast Leonardo DiCaprio as young Oppenheimer, and Michael Caine as his father.”

Author’s Note: This article is dedicated to the acclaimed movie critic, Roule F. Gonzo.