Did OPPENHEIMER Director Christopher Nolan Have A Problem With BARBIE Opening The Same Weekend?

Did OPPENHEIMER Director Christopher Nolan Have A Problem With BARBIE Opening The Same Weekend?

Both Barbie and Oppenheimer are set to open in theaters next weekend, and a new report is claiming that Christopher Nolan was "upset" with Warner Bros.' decision to debut Greta Gerwig's movie against his.

News
By MarkCassidy - Jul 14, 2023 07:07 AM EST
Filed Under: Fantasy
Source: Via Toonado.com

Now I am become death, the destroyer of Barbie's dream house.

With Universal's Oppenheimer and Warner Bros.' Barbie both set to hit theaters on July 21, "Barbenheimer" has blown up (no pun) the internet.

The online phenomenon arose from the fact that Christopher Nolan's bleak historical biopic starring Cillian Murphy (and pretty much every other actor) and Greta Gerwig's bright fantasy comedy starring Margot Robbie are so diametrically opposed in tone, with many cinemagoers planning opening weekend double-features.

Fans have also been sniping back-and-forth, but it's mostly in good-natured fun - although  a new report has now suggested that Nolan may not have seen the funny side.

Here is an excerpt from Insider's piece, in which Jason Guerrasio asks Nolan if she's seen Barbie yet.

"No," he said. It was a curt response with a hint of disinterest.

I told him my theory that "Barbenheimer" was born through his complex history with Warner Bros.

"Now, you must know I'm not going to answer that question," he said with a chuckle, "only to say those who care about the theatrical experience, we've been longing for a crowded marketplace with a lot of different movies. That's what theaters have now, and those of us who care about movies are thrilled about that."

A diplomatic response, but several insiders - who don't wish to be named - believe the filmmaker was not quite so easy going behind the scenes.

Nolan was said to be upset that Warner Bros. scheduled Barbie for release on the same weekend as his film, especially since mid-July has come to be referred to as "Nolan's weekend" over the years. Apparently, there was even an attempt by the movie-theater community to convince Warner Bros. to move the release date of Barbie, but to no avail.

It's not too difficult to imagine Nolan taking issue with Warner Bros. scheduling a big summer release to debut on the same day as his latest film - especially when the director's strained relationship with the studio is taken into account - but it is definitely worth noting that the director's recent comments do tell a different story.

During an interview with IGN, Noland was asked about "Barbenheimer," and gave the following response.

"Summer, in a healthy marketplace, is always crowded, and we've been doing this a long time. I think for those of us who care about movies, we've been really waiting to have a crowded marketplace again, and now it's here and that's terrific."

It's entirely possible that Nolan has misgivings at first and simply changed his tune. Either way, Barbenheimer is fast approaching!

Do you plan on seeing both movies opening weekend? Drop us a comment down below.

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relentless1
relentless1 - 7/14/2023, 7:03 AM
yeahhhh, WB definitely trying to stick it to Nolan it would seem lol, business is business but I will say that'll take a big chunk out of his opening weekend potential
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 7/14/2023, 7:11 AM
@relentless1 - idk if it will

The demographic for both shouldn’t intersect that much.
MosquitoFarmer
MosquitoFarmer - 7/14/2023, 8:00 AM
@TheVisionary25 - Yeah, but there's still people who go to the movies and then decide what to see. And with the prices, one for the week would usually be it. Opening weekend is a big deal on how the movie is going to be recieved from reviews, word of mouth, and just seeing if anyone went to see it. If it doesn't get enough draw out of the starting gate, bad news.
TheNewYorker
TheNewYorker - 7/14/2023, 8:11 AM
@relentless1 - I can’t imagine anyone who’d spend money to watch Barbie would be interested in Oppenheimer. That’s a whole difference audience lol
bobevanz
bobevanz - 7/14/2023, 8:48 AM
@relentless1 - the audiences couldn't be any farther apart on this one, if anything the wife and kids go to Barbie, and the Dads go to Oppenheimer. For once, almost everyone wins lol [frick] WB for screwing over Nolan and Denis
bobevanz
bobevanz - 7/14/2023, 8:49 AM
@MosquitoFarmer - I don't think someone like my Dad, who's 72, would care to see Barbie. Unless if my Mom would want to, since she actually had the OG Barbies. But you can guarantee he'll drag her to Oppenheimer lol
Baf
Baf - 7/14/2023, 10:49 AM
@TheVisionary25 - Yes, but the adults on a budget will take their kid to see Barbie and wait to stream Oppenheimer.
bobevanz
bobevanz - 7/14/2023, 11:00 AM
@bobevanz - I have to share this, the only true Imax would be a dual laser or a 70mm IMAX. Everything else is boring digital "LieMax" here's why and how. So aim for 70mm, or go for Dolby Cinema which has hdr and dolby atmos. Digital imax even has the same aspect ratio. They move the screen forward 75 feet to trick you
https://www.slashfilm.com/519043/qa-imax-theatre-real-imax-liemax/
bobevanz
bobevanz - 7/14/2023, 11:02 AM
@bobevanz - most "imax" theaters are single laser, barely better than watching it on a normal screen in terms of brightness, the audio is the difference in that instance. Always go Dolby>single laser Imax
CoHost
CoHost - 7/14/2023, 7:03 AM
The man has had a giant ego since The Dark Knight (happy 15th anniversary!).
SauronthePower
SauronthePower - 7/14/2023, 7:16 AM
@CoHost - yes but, in fairness, Nolan runs his operations and sets at top shelf status that has botne out its fruit many times over. He sets the professional expectations bar extremely high and you see that play out in the final product
dancingmonkey08
dancingmonkey08 - 7/14/2023, 7:21 AM
@CoHost - yeah, 15 years ago this weekend, hard to believe it, rewatched it last night, sure it's been overhyped over the years, but damn its a good movie, the scene where Two Face is judging the Joker with his coin, fantastic, two great actors at their best

Plus Batman is amazing in the swat team attacking the Joker scene
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 7/14/2023, 7:23 AM
@dancingmonkey08 - that entire opening is so well done.
TheHumanSpider2
TheHumanSpider2 - 7/14/2023, 8:13 AM
@CoHost - Forcing the theatrical release of Tenet during the worst part of the pandemic...the guy is incredibly talented, but that ego!
AllsGood
AllsGood - 7/14/2023, 7:22 AM
Long-Range Box-Office Forecast: Early Prospects for BARBIE Climb to Potential $115M+ Debut.

While Oppenheimer is projected for a $48,000,000 – $57,000,000 opening.

Read here.

https://www.boxofficepro.com/long-range-box-office-forecast-early-prospects-for-gran-turismo-and-the-last-voyage-of-the-demeter-trends-for-barbie-climb-to-potential-115m-debut/
mastakilla39
mastakilla39 - 7/14/2023, 7:41 AM
@AllsGood - Seems about right to me. But I'm so surprised that there's so much interest in Barbie, always knew it will top oppenheimer but 100+ mil opening is huge.
dragon316
dragon316 - 7/14/2023, 7:45 AM
@AllsGood - if numbers are true Barbie hate to say looks more fun to watch Nolan movie is made for documentary history channel movie if I saw this movie in class as history project lesson yeah movie time take nap I like movies and movies on history but this one uninteresting at all and revenant is suppose to be based on true story that movie was boring I can tell by trailer I only saw it step father want to see it
TheHumanSpider2
TheHumanSpider2 - 7/14/2023, 8:13 AM
@AllsGood - Every single person I know is at least aware of Barbie, that movie is making BANK.
AllsGood
AllsGood - 7/14/2023, 8:18 AM
@TheHumanSpider2 - I'm Rooting for Barbie will be there opening day.
ReverseFlasher
ReverseFlasher - 7/14/2023, 9:20 AM
@mastakilla39 - every girlfriend in america: “ i just saw spiderverse, flash, MIDR, indiana jones, etc… youre going to see this”.

Every straight guy in america: “margot robbie as barbie… alright im down”

And thus a 100mil was made.
mastakilla39
mastakilla39 - 7/14/2023, 9:26 AM
@ReverseFlasher - Everyone is aware of Smurfs, Scooby Doo, Trolls, and alvin the chipmunks....yet those were never big hits. I'm just surprised a live action film that looks like those past films have so much hype. Maybe its the marketing because it is everywhere and the recognizable cast.
ReverseFlasher
ReverseFlasher - 7/14/2023, 10:07 AM
@mastakilla39 - none of those are timeless, iconic female-centric toys that every girl had.

Plus like you said the pedigree of the cast and greta gerwig
WarMonkey
WarMonkey - 7/14/2023, 7:24 AM
Here's a story idea @MarkCassidy : Kenneth Branagh Directing Gargoyles Live-Action Movie For Disney was announced a couple days ago.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 7/14/2023, 7:31 AM
@WarMonkey - I saw that, but it's a Giant Freakin' Robot "exclusive," which is a bit sketchy. They do break solid scoops occasionally, but there's also a lot of bull.
WarMonkey
WarMonkey - 7/14/2023, 5:55 PM
@MarkCassidy - Ahh ok, thanks. I was wondering why I couldn't find more information about it when searching.
AllsGood
AllsGood - 7/14/2023, 7:25 AM
Oppenheimer 3-hour talker. All the trailers and commercials I've seen are depressing and sad to me. Building the Bomb to me was a dark day in the world's history.
connorblaze
connorblaze - 7/14/2023, 8:31 PM
@AllsGood - dark and depressing films with something to day about the darkest days of humanity comprise some of the best movies in cinema. If you avoid them for light and fluffy all the time you’d be missing out. Imagine if nobody saw Schindler’s List because it looked like a downer.

I reckon dark day in the world’s history is an understatement. I think the day the nuclear bomb was invented was the end of the world’s history. The 78 years since have just been borrowed time. That’s why this movie is important.

A large number of people who run the world believe angels exist and they’ll go to paradise when they die. Those are the people standing by the button. When things get bad again, like WW2 bad, we can not be trusted with the power to destroy our enemies by ending the world.

It’s like a group of children were put in a small room to fight over a mickey mouse toy, given bazookas, and told that if they blow up the others that magical fairies will take them to disneyland. How long does the room last?
AllsGood
AllsGood - 7/15/2023, 7:18 AM
@connorblaze -
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 7/14/2023, 7:35 AM
Chris Nolan when he goes to see Barbie…



It is great counterprogramming for each other though and I don’t think the audiences for both will intersect too much so it shouldn’t cut into their box office a lot.

Anyway , I’m interested in Oppenheimer more but I’ll check out Barbie when I can (if for nothing else then Ryan Gosling stealing the show).
ReverseFlasher
ReverseFlasher - 7/14/2023, 9:22 AM
@TheVisionary25 - is that brittany murphy … 😬
AC1
AC1 - 7/14/2023, 7:36 AM
I mean, people can have mixed feelings about things. Obviously the only people who really know what Nolan feels about this are Nolan himself and presumably those closest to him, but it's entirely possible that he's happy to see cinemas filling up again while also seeing WB's choice to release Barbie on the same day as his first film since leaving them as a petty move and being annoyed by it on a personal level.

Having said that, I'm not sure that it really matters either way considering how the whole Barbenheimer phenomenon has taken on a life of its own in such a big way; I feel like both films are going to be all the more successful for it. Personally I'm super excited to spend the day watching both movies and experiencing such hugely different films back to back.
dragon316
dragon316 - 7/14/2023, 7:42 AM
So what not that great competition for it anyway his movie looks boring and long only people I can see it are stupid critics who don’t pay attention to movie details give you answer and older people not many young people will see this
grif
grif - 7/14/2023, 7:42 AM
i would think these would be really different audiences. so not that much of a problem. but i wont be seeing either.
Drace24
Drace24 - 7/14/2023, 7:47 AM
Christopher Nolan is a man devoid of any semblance of fun.
HulkisHoly
HulkisHoly - 7/14/2023, 2:01 PM
@Drace24 -

I think his humor in the Batman films actually holds up well and isn’t grating like a lot of films today which all try to mimic Iron Man and Deadpool.
Drace24
Drace24 - 7/14/2023, 3:15 PM
@HulkisHoly - Except there was no humor in the Batman movies. Nolan surgically removed every element of the Batman mythology that was remotely fun because he is more interested in making people think that they are watching is high art with oh so much substance that only cultured adults would get.

And maybe I wouldn't care about that if all of Hollywood hadn't decided to apply that to all of their movies for over a decade, which lead to cluster[frick]s like Fan4stic and the entire DCEU.

I'm glad Iron Man taught Hollywood that fun is good. Otherwise we would probably still get headlines like "Gritty and dark reimagining of the Magic School Bus is in the works!"
HulkisHoly
HulkisHoly - 7/14/2023, 4:16 PM
@Drace24 -

I agree with things being fun. I don’t like everything being gritty either.

However, the only part I would argue is that there was humor in those films.

“I’m not wearing hockey pads”
“I’m telling the police the whole thing was your idea”
“And you think you can black mail this man?”
“So that’s what that feels like”

There were many examples of exchanges of levity meant to be banter between two characters in these films. The banter just wasn’t ad nauseum
Drace24
Drace24 - 7/15/2023, 10:19 AM
@HulkisHoly - Okay, but what jokes though? And what are those random awkward lines from the movie you listed there?

Honestly the only funny parts of these movies are the unintentional ones. Like the implication that Batman always applies black eye-liner when suiting up. Or Commissioner Gorden sending Gotham's ENTIRE police force, thousends of cops, into the sewers where they apperantly lived for months because noone ever heard of a manhole. Or "the worst prison in the world" just being a frickin hole in the ground with apperantly better cable service then I have at home. Or Jokers entire convoluted plan. Or the weird plane stunt they opened TDKR with just for sake of it, because it's the least believable plane crash I've ever seen. Or the fact that Batman apperantly survived a nuclear explosion to the face by jumping out of a plane and swimming to safety fast enough while crippled and in full gear without anyone noticing, only to then show up in a [frick]ing cafe to make his only friend question his sanity like the big jerk that he is.

Are we sure Christopher Nolan is a genius? Has anyone checked that? Like, does he have an attest or something?
HulkisHoly
HulkisHoly - 7/15/2023, 2:17 PM
@Drace24 -

Those were quoted just off the top of my head and the fact you don’t recognize them from the films indicates to me that you don’t know these films or remember them very well.

All the silly things you listed are sometimes annoying but the same plot contrivances are found in probably 90% of fantasy/action films. If you scrutinize the TDK trilogy that harshly, you’ll need to use the same for all of your favorite super hero films.

Not to mention, the things you mentioned and have all been repeated as nauseum from YouTubers.

But like how nobody remembers that Tobey used to quip in the Raimi trilogy, people seem to forget the jokes in the TDK trilogy.
Drace24
Drace24 - 7/15/2023, 4:02 PM
@HulkisHoly - ...I did recognize those quotes, I'm saying I don't find them funny. Because they are not funny. That guy in the hockey pads in the beginning raised a good point. What's the difference between him and Bruce Wayne? They are both just dudes. Batman's answer: "I'm filthy [frick]ing rich, boi!" How endearing.

Sure, but 90% of all movies are not heralded as genius masterpieces that try so hard to trick people into thinking they are viewing something of substance that they forget to actually have substance. A running theme of Christopher Nolan btw, Hollywoods biggest tryhard.

"Not to mention, the things you mentioned and have all been repeated as nauseum from YouTubers."

...Maybe that's because they are true? And very in your face? Again, TDKR in particular barely works as a movie. Nolan had to make his characters make absolute batshit decisions, like sending Gothams entire police force into the sewers just to make his plot somewhat work. You expect me to not notice that or find it unintentionally hilarious?
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