The collaboration between Christopher Nolan and Universal Pictures will continue with Nolan’s next movie following the massive critical and commercial success of their first joint venture, Oppenheimer (2023). Matt Damon, who previously worked with Nolan on Interstellar (2014) and Oppenheimer, is in the talks to lead the cast of the yet-untitled project, which is set for a Summer 2026 release.
Matt Damon in talks to lead Christopher Nolan’s next Universal movie for Summer 2026 release
Academy Award-winning filmmaker Christopher Nolan has decided to stay with Universal Pictures for his next cinematic feature, expected to be released in theaters, including IMAX, on July 17, 2026. Matt Damon, whose portrayal of Gen. Leslie Groves in Oppenheimer garnered widespread acclaim, is being eyed to star in the movie.
As it has become a norm with Nolan’s movies, details about the plot of his next project are kept strictly under wraps. Besides directing, Nolan will write and produce the movie through his Syncopy Inc. production company alongside Emma Thomas. (via Variety)
According to Deadline, production is set to begin in early 2025.
Nolan was expected to continue working with Universal after how big Oppenheimer turned out to be. The movie had a production budget of $100 million and made around $976 million at the global box office. It earned a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes after 512 reviews and won seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Nolan. Further, Cillian Murphy received the Best Actor accolade for portraying J. Robert Oppenheimer, and Robert Downey Jr. earned the Best Supporting Actor prize for depicting Rear Admiral Lewis Strauss.
Oppenheimer was also Nolan’s first movie since Memento to not be backed by Warners Bros. The renowned auteur parted ways with his erstwhile distribution partner reportedly after the studio decided to release its 2021 slate simultaneously in theaters and on Max.
The star of the Bourne franchise, The Departed (2006), and Air (2023), Matt Damon has received Academy Award nominations for Best Actor for The Martian (2015) and Good Will Hunting (1997). Notably, the upcoming feature will be Damon’s first Christopher Nolan movie as the lead after essaying supporting roles in previous projects.
