On October 8, it was announced that Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film will be in collaboration with Universal, sparking a new wave of speculation regarding his tumultuous relationship with Warner Bros. After two decades of collaboration, Nolan made the decision to partner with Universal for his latest project, Oppenheimer, citing conflicts with Warner Bros over the simultaneous release strategy on HBO Max for his film, Tenet, in 2021.
A report from Puck News reveals that Warner Bros is actively trying to mend fences and win back the acclaimed director after his shift towards Universal. Allegedly, the studio still maintains an office for Nolan on their premises, and it has been reported that they recently proposed a seven-figure royalty payment for Tenet, possibly to alleviate the impact of its shortened theatrical demonstration.
In an interview with Variety in June 2023, Warner Bros’ co-chair and CEO, Michael De Luca, acknowledged their desire to have Nolan back in the fold.
Sources from Puck also claim that Warner Bros was not in the running for Nolan’s latest film, as the script was never submitted for their consideration before being officially announced with Universal.
While specifics about his new project remain undisclosed, it’s been suggested by Deadline that Matt Damon is being considered for a lead role, with a potential release date of July 17, 2026.
It comes as no shock that Nolan has turned to Universal for his upcoming film, given their robust support for Oppenheimer, a gripping three-hour war drama that exceeded expectations with a global box office total of $975.6 million, along with accolades including Best Picture and Best Director at the Academy Awards.
Fans have largely expressed approval of Nolan’s decision to distance himself from Warner Bros, with one user on X commenting, “Warner Bros made their bed, now they get to lay in it.” Another added, “Not only did WB mishandle their golden goose, but those who picked him up supported his last film to nearly a billion dollars and a slew of Oscars. He has no reason to look back, and rightly so.”
“This guy has no genuine reason to collaborate with them anymore; they’re in need of him more than he is of them,” remarked another user.
For additional insights, check out our review of Warner Bros’ latest release, Joker 2. You can also see how many Oscars Oppenheimer took home and explore the top movies of 2024 so far.
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