Christopher Nolan Praises OPPENHEIMER and BARBIE Opening on the Same Day Saying a "Crowded" Marketplace Is a "Healthy One"

The films Oppenheimer and Barbie are going head to head in the box office next weekend, and it’s not just film fans who are looking forward to it. Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan is stoked that the two films are opening together, as it marks an occasion we’ve been waiting for since the pandemic - choices at the movie theatres.

Nolan recently told IGN that “it’s terrific” to have both summer tentpoles open on the same day.

“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.”

Cillian Murphy, who stars in the title role of Oppeneheimer, agreed with Nolan, telling IGN:

“I think it’s great. I mean, I’ll be going to see ‘Barbie.’ I can’t wait to see it. I think it’s just great for the industry and for audiences that we have two amazing films by amazing filmmakers coming out the same day. Could spend a whole day in the cinema, what’s better than that?”

Oppenheimer co-star Matt Damon agreed:

“I love the fact that people are talking about going to two movies in a weekend. Ben [Affleck] and I used to go to two movies every weekend, and I think people should do that.”

A third Oppenheimer cast member, Emily Blunt, called it “awesome” for the two movies to be opening at once as “the interest in the variety of what’s available is so awesome.”

While Barbie and Oppenheimer were originally pitted as rivals (most likely because Nolan left Barbie studio Warner Bros. after over a decade to make Oppenheimer at Universal), the two movies have started to uplift one another in recent weeks. AMC Theatres reported on July 10 that over 20,000 members of its AMC Stubs program have purchased tickets to see both Barbie and Oppenheimer on the same day.

Elizabeth Frank, executive VP of worldwide programming and chief content officer at AMC Theatres said:

“That more than 20,000 moviegoers have already made plans and purchased tickets to see ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ on the same day is a great sign that the growing online conversation around seeing both of these incredible films is turning into ticket sales.”

It’s awesome that movie fans are getting choices again! I can’t wait to get to the theatre next weekend and see both of these movies. Barbie and Oppenheimer open in theaters on July 21st.

via: Variety