Barbie vs Oppenheimer latest news: Barbie smashes box-office records and nearly doubles Oppenheimer’s earnings

“Nobody knows what you believe. Do you?” So asks scientist Edward Teller (Benny Safdie), in a scene from Christopher Nolan’s nuclear epic Oppenheimer. The question is posed to J Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), the so-called “father of the atomic bomb”, whose disavowed communist past clung to his reputation like stepped-on gum. But the question might just as well have been addressed to Nolan himself.

The 52-year-old filmmaker’s work has long prompted speculation over his political views, from the supposedly pro-conservative ‘Dark Knight’ to the anti-war messaging of ‘Tenet’. Does his nuclear biopic ‘Oppenheimer’ hold any answers, asks Louis Chilton

Any fears that the simultaneous release of Barbie and Oppenheimer would hurt the films’ returns have now surely been put to bed as both movies smash box office records.

However, according to film-data research company The Quorum, Nolan actually received a significant box office boost thanks to the commercial success of Gerwig’s picture.

‘Oppenheimer’ benefitted from ‘Barbie’s’ ‘leftovers’, data research company says

Greta Gerwig has named the two celebrity cameos she tried and failed to achieve for her star-studded Barbie film.

The director’s much-hyped film stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as the main doll and her partner Ken.

Emma Mackey, Issa Rae, and Hari Nef are among the actors playing other Barbies, while Simu Liu, Ncuti Gatwa and Kingsley Ben-Adir are among the other Kens.

However, in a new interview, Gerwig revealed that two of her previous collaborators slipped through the net.

Director tried to get two former collaborators into film – to no avail

In a recent interview, Downey Jr took the opportunity to commend Murphy for his hard work and dedication to perfecting the role.

Downey Jr said the Irish actor had the ‘humility’ that was needed ‘to survive’ playing the lead role in Christopher Nolan’s biopic

The film is told across three timelines, with scenes of Oppenheimer’s early life and work on the A-bomb being intermixed with scenes set during his 1954 security hearing, and the US Senate confirmation hearing of Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr) in 1959.

While Oppenheimer has been praised for its meticulous recreation of its mid-20th century setting, one fan seemingly spotted an error in a scene set in 1945.

Film stars Cillian Murphy as nuclear physicist J Robert Oppenheimer

The Barbie and Oppenheimer excitement has resulted in one of the most lucrative box office openings of all time.

Both films opened on Friday (21 July), with their opening weekend box office tally across the world looking set to top the $400m (£311m) mark, which is a rare occurrence reserved for cinematic events.

Both ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ have exceeded projections in a huge way

Pugh plays psychiatrist Jean Tatlock in the Christopher Nolan epic, which was released in cinemas on 21 July, with Irish actor Murphy playing the eponymous “father of the atomic bomb”.

Tatlock and Oppenheimer were in a relationship and later had an affair while the physicist was married to Katherine “Kitty” Puening (portrayed by Emily Blunt in the movie).

For Western audiences, Pugh, 27, appears nude in multiple sex scenes with Murphy, 47. However, in countries including India and Indonesia, she is reportedly seen wearing a black dress that appears to have been added using CGI.

Pugh plays Oppenheimer’s mistress Jean Tatlock in the Christopher Nolan blockbuster

Greta Gerwig has explained Barbie’s “mic drop” ending, revealing that its one-liner took inspiration from her personal experience as a teenage girl.

*Barbie spoilers below – you have been warned*

Director’s much-hyped movie is out in cinemas now