Yahoo Movies Oppenheimer sets unique box office record
Oppenheimer has set another box office record, albeit a more unique one this time around.
Christopher Nolan’s biopic of the theoretical physicist and father of the atomic bomb has garnered considerable acclaim and financial success since its release last month, becoming the highest-grossing World War II-related film.
Following its $2.56M takings in the US on Wednesday (August 16), the film has accrued a total of $272.59M, meaning it is now the highest grossing film to have never reached the top spot at the box office (via BoxOfficeMojo, though the chart isn’t yet updated).
Related: Robert Downey Jr hails Oppenheimer as his "best film"
The previous incumbent of the dubious honour was Sing, with other entries in the historical top 10 including My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Alvin and the Chipmunks, A Star is Born and Sherlock Holmes.
The latter film starred Robert Downey Jr, who played the cunning Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer, and the actor praised lead star Cillian Murphy for his “sacrifice” when assuming the titular role.
“I have never witnessed a greater sacrifice by a lead actor in my career,” said Downey Jr of Murphy. “He knew it was going to be a behemoth ask when [director] Chris [Nolan] called him. But I think he also had the humility that is required to survive playing a role like this
“We'd be like, 'Hey, we got a three-day weekend. Maybe we'll go antiquing in Santa Fe. What are you going to do?' 'Oh, I have to learn 30,000 words of Dutch. Have a nice time.' But that's the nature of the ask,” he added.
Related: Cillian Murphy didn't hesitate to take Oppenheimer role for Christopher Nolan
Florence Pugh, who plays Jean Tatlock in the film, also had high praise for Murphy, revealing that she had been “desperate” to work with the Peaky Blinders star.
“Chris had one of the most incredible leads in Cillian,” she said. “He is an actor that I have been watching for quite some time and have been desperate to work with for ages. It was truly one of the best experiences that I’ve had.”
Oppenheimer is in cinemas now.
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