Barbie receives rapturous first reviews as Oppenheimer cast gets personal – latest news
Barbie cast turn London Eye pink to celebrate film premiere
Hollywood feels more like the center of the universe than ever this week as the arrival of the two biggest films of the year coincides with a historic actors’ strike.
Anticipation for Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer has reached a fever pitch ahead of their release in unison on 21 July.
Axios has reported this week that movie theatres in Texas, Washington DC, and Atlanta have already sold out of tickets for the Margot Robbie-led feature about the famous toy doll.
Meanwhile, Oppenheimer star Matt Damon got personal about his decision to join the movie, which came after he promised his wife he’d take an acting break in couples’ therapy.
Oppenheimer’s London premiere was cut short, however, as the cast left early in preparation for the SAG-AFTRA strike order, which was initiated hours after the event.
The actors’ union joined the Writers Guild of America, which has been on strike since early May, over demands for increases in base pay and residuals in the streaming TV era, plus assurances that their work will not be replaced by AI.
What’s your favorite song from the ‘Barbie’ soundtrack?
Barbie is the movie that just keeps on giving. Not only has the film brought the nostalgia of the popular Mattel doll to life, but it’s also arrived with an all-star soundtrack, featuring some of the biggest current names in music including Dua Lipa, Ice Spice, and Haim.
My personal favorite is its lead single “Dance the Night Away”. What’s yours?
‘Barbie: The Album’ is out now
Inga Parkel19 July 2023 16:00
Barbie expected to blow the roof off the box office, with Oppenheimer trailing behind
Barbie’s finally here, and with all the buzz leading up to its debut, the box office estimates are all over the place.
It’s expected to make between $95m (£72m) to $110m (£84m) from its opening weekend in 4,200 North American theatres, according to Variety.
However, Warner Bros is playing it safe and estimating a $75m (£57m) start. Meanwhile, some estimates out there are projecting it could make as much as $140m (£107m).
Although, whatever its weekend takings are, they’re still expected to be higher than Oppenheimer’s, which is hoping to earn $50m (£38m) from its opening weekend in 3,600 cinemas.
Inga Parkel19 July 2023 15:30
Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy reacts to Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later sequel update
Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy has reacted to the news that a new 28 Days Later sequel appears to be happening.
In June, the film’s director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland revealed plans to make a follow-up to their hit 2000 horror film 28 Days Later, in which Murphy played the lead role of Jim.
During a conversation with The Independent’s Jacob Stolworthy, the actor said news of the sequel was “great to hear”, and responded to a question of whether he’d like to be involved.
Nicole Vassell19 July 2023 15:00
Barbie movie merchandise: From Barbie dolls to a Zara collaboration
Outside of buying a ticket to watch the movie, there are plenty of ways for us real-life folk to be a part of the Barbie fun.
From branded shoes, t-shirts, and, of course, the dolls themselves, here is a guide to the merchandise on sale to join in the Barbie (and Ken) party.
Nicole Vassell19 July 2023 14:30
Christopher Nolan on why he cast his daughter as a girl who gets blown up in a nuclear explosion
One could imagine that a parent would do anything not to have a visual image of their child in pain.
Yet, Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan has made the shocking decision to cast his eldest daughter, 22-year-old Flora, as a burn victim in the film.
Flora plays a nameless young woman whose flesh is flayed from her face in a nuclear explosion, in a sequence that happens within Oppenheimer’s (Cillian Murphy) mind.
Of his daughter’s involvement, Nolan said it was “wonderful to just have her sort of roll with it”.
Nicole Vassell19 July 2023 14:00
ICYMI: Barbie debuts strong on Rotten Tomatoes with an 89 percent score
Reviews for Barbie are looking immensely positive ahead of its cinematic release on Friday.
The film has an impressive score of 89 percent on the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes – a significant indicator of critical approval.
Peony Hirwani has the full story below:
Nicole Vassell19 July 2023 13:16
A new Oppenheimer featurette about Ludwig Göransson’s score has been released
Peony Hirwani19 July 2023 12:00
Christopher Nolan recalls the day when he asked Cillian Murphy to play lead in Oppenheimer
ICYMI: The day Christopher Nolan called Cillian Murphy about his new film, Oppenheimer, Murphy hung up the phone in disbelief.
The Irish actor, though a regular presence in Nolan films going back almost two decades, had always been a supporting player. This time, Nolan wanted him to lead.
“He’s so understated and self-deprecating and, in his very English manner, just said, ‘Listen, I’ve written this script, it’s about Oppenheimer. I’d like you to be my Oppenheimer,’” Murphy, 46, told The Associated Press earlier this year. “It was a great day.”
Recalling the moment, Murphy replied: “I have always said publicly and privately, to Chris, that if I’m available and you want me to be in a movie, I’m there. I don’t care about the size of the part. But deep down, secretly, I was desperate to play lead for him.”
Peony Hirwani19 July 2023 11:30
