Charlize Theron Joins Christopher Nolan’s Latest Movie

Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson and Anne Hathaway are already cast members in the ‘Oppenheimer’ director’s next movie.

(Left) Charlize Theron arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Right) Oscar® nominee Christopher Nolan arrives at the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Nick Agro / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

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Chris Nolan is adding Charlize Theron to his new movie.
She joins the likes of Lupita Nyong’o, Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson and Zendaya.
Nolan is keeping the plot a mystery.

Just as he did with ‘Oppenheimer’ –– and even more so since that movie did nearly a billion dollars in business and won seven Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor (for star Cillian Murphy) ––– Christopher Nolan is able to attract big names for his new project.

And the latest to leap aboard –– per Deadline –– is Charlize Theron, most recently seen in ‘Fast X’ (and in an uncredited tiny cameo as the grown Furiosa in George Miller’s ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’).

She’s the newest bold face name to agree to appear for Nolan, marking the first time she’ll work with the director.

What’s the story of Christopher Nolan’s next film?

Writer, director, and producer Christopher Nolan on the set of 'Oppenheimer.'

As with everything to do with Nolan, the title, plot and even genre are a mystery at this point. Nolan is not a man to release loglines easily, and his level of creative control means that, short of an unauthorized leak, no information will be out there until he’s ready.

There had been some chatter a few years ago about the writer/director looking at adapting cult British series ‘The Prisoner’ for the big screen, but this is apparently not that.

More recent rumors have pointed to a film inspired by movie and TV series ‘Blue Thunder,’ which was about a sophisticated police helicopter in Los Angeles, but that has since been shot down (the rumor, not the helicopter).

Blue Thunder

"He's out there…"

R1 hr 50 minMay 13th, 1983

Watch Blue Thunder Online

Who else is in the cast for Nolan’s latest project?

(Far Left) Matt Damon promoting 'The Instigators'. Photo: Apple TV+. (Center Left) Zendaya and Tom Holland in 'Spider-Man: No Way Home'. Photo: Marvel Studios. (Center Right) Anne Hathaway for Apple TV+'s 'WeCrashed.' (Far Right) Lupita Nyong’o as “Samira” in 'A Quiet Place: Day One' from Paramount Pictures.

Assuming the story on Theron truly pans out (though Deadline’s story indicates she’s at least either signed or close to making a deal), she’ll join an all-star cast of returning Nolan veterans and new recruits.

Already aboard? The likes of Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson and Lupita Nyong’o.

Damon, Hathaway, and Pattinson, of course, have all worked with the director at least once before.

What else is Charlize Theron working on?

Charlize Theron in 'The Old Guard.' Photo: Netflix.

Theron has a few projects on the go. Netflix action sequel ‘The Old Guard 2’ has been stymied by strike delays and is still going through post-production but will hopefully arrive next year.

She also has a number of movies either in development or preparing to shoot, including action thriller ‘Two for the Money,’ and she’s about to film another thriller, survival title ‘Apex,’ which co-stars Taron Egerton.

Which studio will distribute Nolan’s new film?

Writer, director, and producer Christopher Nolan on the set of 'Oppenheimer.'

While the filmmaker had been based for years at Warner Bros., the company’s decision to put much of its 2020 slate on streaming saw him take his business elsewhere.

The rights to ‘Oppenheimer’ were put up for auction, a bidding battle that Universal ultimately won and reaped the rewards when the movie became a huge sensation.

Nolan was clearly happy without things worked out in collaboration with the studio, as he’s gone right back to it for this new project, which, like ‘Oppenheimer,’ will shoot in the IMAX format.

When will Chris Nolan’s next movie be in theaters?

Universal and IMAX have planted a flag in a July 17th, 2026 release slot for the new movie.

Christopher Nolan accepts the Oscar® for Directing during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.