Margot Robbie recently shared a candid moment with Cillian Murphy for Variety’s “Actors on Actors,” revealing a behind-the-scenes clash over film release dates. When “Oppenheimer” producer Charles Roven requested Robbie to shift “Barbie’s” release date, her response was firm: “We’re not moving!” This bold stance set the stage for an unprecedented box office duel.
“Oppenheimer,” a Christopher Nolan creation, had initially secured the July 21, 2023 release date. Warner Bros. countered by scheduling “Barbie,” directed by Greta Gerwig, for the same day, sparking intrigue as Nolan was releasing his first film with Universal after leaving Warner Bros. post the “Tenet” pandemic release saga.
Robbie saw the simultaneous release of “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” as a “perfect double billing,” an opinion that resonated with audiences worldwide. This resulted in the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon, propelling “Barbie” to Warner Bros.’ highest-grossing release at $1.4 billion globally, while “Oppenheimer” earned the title of the highest-grossing biopic with $950 million.
This summer’s box office success story was a testament to the diversity and richness of cinema, captivating audiences with two vastly different yet equally compelling narratives.
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