How long did it take to film 'Oppenheimer'? Cillian Murphy recalls 'insane pace' of shooting on Christopher Nolan's $180M movie
NEW MEXICO, UNITED STATES: Just as J Robert Oppenheimer's raced against the Nazis to develop the atomic bomb, filmmaker Christopher Nolan too was on a determined sprint to finish his highly anticipated movie, 'Oppenheimer.
According to Cillian Murphy's interview on 'WTF' Podcast, the shooting schedule for Christopher Nolan's $180M magnum opus was exceptionally fast-paced, completing the project in just 57 days.
To put this into perspective, Nolan's previous films like ‘Dunkirk’ and ‘Tenet’ had longer shooting schedules, lasting 68 and 96 days, respectively. With a majority of scenes centered around Murphy's character, the intensity of the shorter shooting schedule was heightened for the actor.
‘We made the movie unbelievably quickly’
Despite the swift pace, Murphy said, "We made the movie unbelievably quickly. We made it in 57 days. The pace of that was insane. The sets are huge, but it feels like being in an independent movie". The focus was on practical filmmaking techniques, with minimal crew and equipment. "There’s just Chris and the cameraman — one camera always, unless there’s some huge, huge set piece — and the boom op and that’s it. There’s no video village, there’s no monitors, nothing. He’s a very analog filmmaker".
This analog approach reflects Nolan's preference for immersive film making, fostering a collaborative and intimate environment on set. Murphy has had a working relationship with Nolan for over two decades, making ‘Oppenheimer'’ another collaborative endeavor for the duo.
Celebration Cinema North is among the privileged few, with only 31 theaters worldwide, to showcase 'Oppenheimer' in IMAX 70mm film format. The magnitude of this cinematic presentation is staggering, as the reel itself stretches over 11 miles in length and weighs more than 600 pounds.
The 70mm film with 18k quality
John Foley, an experienced IMAX projectionist, is among those responsible for setting up this grand reel to screen the movie in the city of Grand Rapids. "They’re pulling a lot of guys who haven’t done it in a few years to make it," said Foley about setting up the format, "It’s an entertaining trip down nostalgia lane. The muscle memory comes back so fast. It feels so good."
When displayed on the screen, 'Oppenheimer' will possess a distinct visual quality that sets it apart from the typical digital movies commonly shown in theaters. The 70mm film format ensures an exceptional resolution, boasting approximately 18k quality compared to the more standard 2k or 4k resolutions found in most films. This superior visual fidelity promises an extraordinary and immersive viewing experience for moviegoers attending Celebration Cinema North.