Fans and critics alike always salivate for any news regarding acclaimed director Christopher Nolan. Fortunately, his next feature film, Oppenheimer, is currently in post-production and is slated for release in 2023. It's the story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his development of the atomic bomb during World War II.
Nolan tends to keep details regarding his films from leaking, but there have been a few announcements in terms of casting. Many of these actors are working with Nolan for the first time (and probably not the last) and are playing notable physicists. Interestingly enough, there has been no mention of Michael Caine, who always has a part to play in Nolan's films. Perhaps he will be a surprise casting that people aren't expecting, much like Matt Damon in Interstellar. These are the famous actors and actresses cast as of this writing.
Cillian Murphy
Murphy will play the lead and title character, Oppenheimer. He was a German scientist known as the "father of the atomic bomb" and was a central figure in the Manhattan Project, along with the famous Trinity test in New Mexico in 1945.
This will mark the sixth collaboration between Murphy and Nolan, but it will be Murphy's first lead role in any of the director's films. Previously, Murphy was in Nolan's Dunkirk and Inception, but most people will recognize him as Scarecrow in The Dark Knight Trilogy.
Emily Blunt
The A-list actress claims the role of Katherine (Kitty) Oppenheimer, who is of course the wife of the titular character. She was a German-American biologist and a member of the Communist Party.
This will be Blunt's first film working with Nolan. However, she is no stranger to working with Cillian Murphy, as she recently starred alongside him in A Quiet Place Part II. This is perfect casting, as there should be great chemistry between the two.
Florence Pugh
The up-and-coming actress will take on the role of Jean Tatlock. Tatlock was an American psychiatrist and Oppenheimer's longtime girlfriend. Like Kitty, she was also a Communist Party member.
With this role, Pugh will make her debut in a Nolan film. The Midsommar star was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in 2019 for Little Women. More recently, Pugh seems to be a big part of the MCU going forward, where she plays Yelena, the sister of Black Widow.
Robert Downey Jr.
The character of Lewis Strauss will be played by the Avengers superstar. Strauss was an American businessman and naval officer. More importantly, he worked for the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and was against the development of the hydrogen bomb, seeing the need to protect atomic secrets.
Downey Jr., of course, is best known for his time as Iron Man in the MCU. In addition to this being his first partnering with Christopher Nolan, it seems as though this will be a different type of role for him, as it appears he will be the antagonist of the film based on Strauss's views. There will no doubt be some compelling scenes between him and Murphy.
Kenneth Branagh
Branagh's role in the film is unknown at this time. However, he is no stranger to working with Nolan, as he was a big name in Dunkirk and Tenet.
Branagh has won numerous awards behind the camera, including Best Original Screenplay for his Irish film, Belfast, and he was nominated for his supporting role in My Week With Marilyn. The director is best known for his portrayal of Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express and its sequel, Death on the Nile.
Matt Damon
The Boston actor will play Leslie Groves Jr. Groves was an engineer and took charge of the Manhattan Project in 1942. Damon took on a surprise role in Nolan's film Interstellar, so he is no stranger to working with the acclaimed director.
He is also no stranger to working with Emily Blunt, as they held a romantic relationship in The Adjustment Bureau. Perhaps there will be some dynamic scenes between the two of them?
Gary Oldman
Gary Oldman's role is unknown. Like Branagh, he has worked with Nolan before, most notably as Jim Gordon in The Dark Knight Trilogy.
Gary Oldman has over 100 acting credits and even won an Oscar for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour in 2017. As a very adaptable character actor, whatever role Oldman plays is sure to be perfection.
Rami Malek
Another unknown role, this time for Rami Malek. Whoever he is cast as, Nolan is sure to bring out the best in him.
Malek's Oscar-winning performance as Freddy Mercury in 2018's Bohemian Rhapsody shows how versatile he can be. For example, he can play a good guy like in The Little Things or a bad guy like his most recent performance in No Time to Die.
Casey Affleck
This will be Affleck's second collaboration with Christopher Nolan, as the two of them previously worked on Interstellar.
Much like his brother, Affleck can hold his own in a movie. This is evident in his Best Actor Oscar for Manchester By the Sea in 2016, as well as Ain't Them Bodies Saints, in which he worked with Rami Malek.
Josh Hartnett
The Black Hawk Down star will take on the role of Ernest Lawrence. Lawrence was a nuclear physicist and is credited for his invention of the cyclotron (a type of particle accelerator).
Hartnett hasn't worked with Nolan before. However, he was one of three finalists for the role of Batman in The Dark Knight Trilogy, which he regretfully declined.
Jason Clarke
Like many other actors, Clarke's role is unknown at the moment. This will be his first project working with the A-list director.
The Australian-born actor has been in many films across all genres, from action movies like Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and Terminator: Genisys to the 2019 horror remake Pet Sematary. With experience like that, he will likely excel in this drama.
Dane DeHaan
DeHaan's role in the biopic is currently unknown as well. Like many of his fellow actors starring in the film, it will be DeHaan's first time working alongside Christopher Nolan.
The 36-year-old actor has nearly two decades of experience under his belt. Like fellow cast members, Florence Pugh and Robert Downey Jr., DeHaan is a member of the Marvel universe, albeit with Sony. He played Harry Osborn in The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
Josh Peck
Kenneth Bainbridge will be played by Peck. Bainbridge was a physicist at Harvard University who, like Ernest Lawrence, dealt with cyclotron research. After witnessing the Trinity test, he was dedicated to ending nuclear testing.
While most of Peck's career has been in television, namely Drake & Josh (2004-2007), he does have movie experience, starring in the Red Dawn 2012 remake.
Alden Ehrenreich
Ehrenreich will play yet another unknown role in Nolan's historical biopic, which will also be the first time working with the Memento director.
Ehrenreich is the youngest actor on this list, but that doesn't mean he has a lackluster resume. He has worked with well-known directors The Coen Brothers and Ron Howard in Hail, Caesar! and Solo: A Star Wars Story, respectively.