This is more or less a confirmation that Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” will have its world premiere at the 76th Cannes Film Festival.
Actor Matthew Modine, who is in Nolan’s upcoming epic, tweeted out a new poster for the film will a hashtag #Cannes2023. Between him and Emily Blunt’s stylist posting the same thing last month, we must assume it’s going.
Roger Friedman had also hinted a few days ago that Nolan’s film would be headed to the Croisette. Ditto Le Film Francais, France’s version of Variety, hinting at the appearance last month.
So, with new films from Nolan, Scorsese and Wes Anderson, it looks as though Cannes boss Thierry Fremaux has formed quite the lineup so far for this 76th edition.
I would guess an out of competition slot would be a go for “Oppenheimer.” I don’t think, much like Scorsese, that Nolan would want to be in competition. Then again, a potential Palme d’Or would fit quite nicely on his mantle. Who knows.
Nolan is coming off the pandemic-released “Tenet,” which disappointed at the box-office, so maybe he wants a big splash for his latest one. Compared to his other films, “Oppenheimer” would not necessarily suffer from major spoilers.
Nolan has never premiered any of his movies at Cannes, but he did show up a few years ago to screen his remastered version of Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
I’ll have my March edition of Cannes predictions next week. A lot has changed, and I have some new intel. Hint: the lineup looks absolutely stunning on paper.