Christopher Nolan Says He Created Look of Atomic Explosion Without CGI in 'Oppenheimer' : 'Huge Challenge'

Mar. 15, 2025

Christopher Nolan.Photo: Emma McIntyre/Getty

Christopher Nolanwent for practicality in the special effects used for his upcoming filmOppenheimer.

Nolan, 52, wrote and directed Universal’s epic story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the Manhattan Project mastermind who helped develop the atomic bomb, withCillian Murphystarring as the titular scientist.

Nolan explained that he brought on visual-effects supervisor Andrew Jackson “early on” in the project, and that Jackson “was looking at how we could do a lot of the visual elements of the film practically, from representing quantum dynamics and quantum physics tothe Trinity test itself, to recreating, with my team, Los Alamos up on a mesa in New Mexico in extraordinary weather, a lot of which was needed for the film.”

“In terms of the very harsh conditions out there — there were huge practical challenges,” he added.

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Murphy, 46, reunites with Nolan after previously starring in three films for the director: 2005’sBatman Begins, 2010’sInceptionand 2017’sDunkirk.

“I’llalways turn up for Chris, whatever the size of the part,” Murphy toldVarietyin February. “Chris willcall me up and I’m there. Isn’t it wonderful that filmmakers are still making challenging, demanding films within the studio system, shot on film?”

“I think he’s flying the flag,” added the Irish actor of Nolan. “Him,Paul Thomas AndersonandQuentin Tarantinoare fantastic filmmakers making interesting work on a massive scale.”

Nolan toldTotal Filmthat he’s “thrilled with what [his] team has been able to achieve” withOppenheimerwhich, even aside from the special effects, is “a story of immense scope and scale.”

“And one of the most challenging projects I’ve ever taken onin terms of the scale of it, and in terms of encountering the breadth of Oppenheimer’s story,” the director said. “There were big, logistical challenges, big practical challenges.”

“But I had an extraordinary crew, and they really stepped up,” Nolan continued. “It will be a while before we’re finished. But certainly as I watch the results come in, and as I’m putting the film together, I’m thrilled with what my team has been able to achieve.”

Oppenheimeris in theaters July 21, 2023.

source: people.com