“Oppenheimer” might not have happened without Robert Pattinson. Discover the little story behind the birth of the big project.
Christopher Nolan’s next feature is one of the most anticipated of the moment: Oppenheimer is based on the true story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the “father of the atomic bomb”, a physicist whose research was instrumental in the development of the world’s first nuclear weapons.
As to why Christopher Nolan wanted to tackle such a project, just go back to the time of Tenet. Indeed, it is thanks to Robert Pattinson that he had the idea!
It was in an interview with Tara Hitchcock (via MovieWeb) that Christopher Nolan reveals this story. Asked about the subject, he confirmed that the rumor, according to which Robert Pattinson had inspired him to make the film by offering him a book including Oppenheimer’s speeches, was true. Also asked about the fact that the latter does not appear in the film, he replied that the actor was unfortunately too “busy”.
“Yes, Rob, [c’est] following Tenet, where we refer to Oppenheimer – and I had written this thing about this amazing moment that Oppenheimer and the Manhattan Project scientist had, where they couldn’t completely rule out the possibility that when they sparked that first gadget, that first atomic device, they could start the chain reaction that would destroy the world“, explain Christopher Nolan. “We used that as a metaphor for Tenet, which Rob was playing in, [et] as an end-of-shoot gift he gave me a book with Oppenheimer’s speeches from the 1950s, in which you read about these great intellects trying to cope with the massive consequences of how they changed lives forever, for all of us. I really got hooked and got addicted to the story.”
CILLIAN MURPHY IS OPPENHEIMER
Universal Pictures
The star ofOppenheimer, you know, it’s Cillian Murphy. The actor also spoke with Tara Hitchcock about the film. While he got to see the final cut, he shared his thoughts as well, noting that he was “stunned” by what he saw and stating that it was a film that could emotionally overwhelm viewers.
I was completely knocked out. I was kind of emotionally out of breath from the whole experience. It leaves you a bit in tatters.
Co-produced, written and directed by Christopher Nolanthe feature also stars Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, Kenneth Branagh, Benny Safdie, Dane DeHaan, Jack Quaid, Matthew Modine and Tony Goldwyn.
Oppenheimer hits theaters on July 19.