Christopher Nolan is known for his eye for detail in the movie-making process. The maverick filmmaker is currently working on a film called Oppenheimer. The movie is based on the story of J Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist who developed the first atomic bomb for the United States.
In a recent interview with Total Film Magazine, the director stated that he recreated the iconic Trinity test in the film without any CGI.
The Universal Pictures film is set to release in theaters on July 21, 2023
Atomic Bomb, For Real?
“I think recreating the Trinity test without the use of computer graphics was a huge challenge to take on. Andrew Jackson — my visual effects supervisor, I got him on board early on — was looking at how we could do a lot of the visual elements of the film practically, from representing quantum dynamics and quantum physics to the Trinity test itself to recreating, with my team, Los Alamos up on a mesa in New Mexico in extraordinary weather, a lot of which was needed for the film, in terms of the very harsh conditions out there — there were huge practical challenges.” said the director.
Oppenheimer will be Nolan’s 12th film
The Most Challenging Movie
Nolan said that Oppenheimer is one of the most challenging films that he has ever worked on, because of the scale. “There were big, logistical challenges, big practical challenges. But I had an extraordinary crew, and they stepped up. It will be a while before we’re finished. But certainly, as I watch the results come in, and as I am putting the film together, I am thrilled with what my team has been able to achieve.” said the Interstellar director.
The film has an ensemble of talented actors, which includes Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr, Gary Oldman, Florence Pugh, Rami Malek, Benny Safdie, and Dane DeHaan, among others. Cillian Murphy will be essaying the role of the physicist.
Social media reactions
The Twitter audience had already predicted that the director will be avoiding VFX and use real-life effects, even for a bomb sequence. Several theories had been making rounds on social media on how Nolan would pull this off.
Christopher Nolan using a real nuclear bomb for #Oppenheimer pic.twitter.com/TrstFHBKEV
— BLURAYANGEL 🦇 (@blurayangel) December 12, 2022
nolan when the studio allowed him to detonate an actual nuclear bomb for oppenheimer pic.twitter.com/0vS3gsUjbJ
— addie² (@butterbarrr) December 12, 2022
Christopher Nolan holding a real nuclear bomb on the set of #Oppenheimer
The Cameraman pic.twitter.com/gxem39vyYN
— DripMarvel Shorts🍿 (@drip_marvel) December 12, 2022
Universal when they see Christopher Nolan holding a real nuclear bomb on the set of #Oppenheimerpic.twitter.com/nLJ863CBQo
— BLURAYANGEL 🦇 (@blurayangel) December 12, 2022
The camera operators after Christopher Nolan forced them to film an actual nuclear bomb so he didn't have to use CGI for Oppenheimer: pic.twitter.com/1j1xP4JZiq
— Skim Milf (@TheFemoid) December 13, 2022
Extras on the set of Oppenheimer when Christopher Nolan decided to detonate a real atomic bomb pic.twitter.com/Q8pPyx6zMZ
— nie (@beysdany) December 12, 2022
