Zendaya and Anne Hathaway Join Christopher Nolan’s New Movie

The ‘Oppenheimer’ director is building a typically quality cast, with Matt Damon and Tom Holland already aboard his new project.

(Left) Anne Hathaway for Apple TV+'s 'WeCrashed.' (Right) Zendaya attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Amazon MGM Studios’ 'Challengers' at Regency Village Theatre on April 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios.

Preview:

Chris Nolan is adding more cast to his new movie.
Anne Hathaway and Zendaya are the latest additions to the mystery film.
They join Matt Damon and Tom Holland.

With the first pieces of casting now seemingly in place –– that would be Matt Damon and Tom Holland, who are both now aboard –– ‘Oppenheimer’ director Christopher Nolan is adding to the cast for his next project.

Untitled Christopher Nolan Film

Not Yet RatedJul 17th, 2026

Christopher Nolan's upcoming film. Plot TBA. Read the Plot

And the new additions, like Damon and Holland, represent a reunion and a new recruit, as Anne Hathaway (who worked with the filmmaker on both ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ and ‘Interstellar) and Zendaya, best known for the likes of ‘Dune’ and the ‘Spider-Man’ movies (which also happen to star one T. Holland) are joining the movie, per Deadline.

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. Yet Deadline’s sources say that idea is also off the mark (unless Nolan is trying to hide it!)

Blue Thunder

"He's out there…"

R1 hr 50 minMay 13th, 1983

Watch Blue Thunder Online

What else are Anne Hathaway and Zendaya working on?

(L to R) Zendaya and Tom Holland in 'Spider-Man: No Way Home'. Photo: Marvel Studios.

Hathaway has David Robert Mitchell’s mystery thriller ‘Flowervale Street’ and David Lowery’s music drama ‘Mother Mary’ both in post-production aiming for release next year.

She’s attached to James Gray’s new crime thriller ‘Paper Tiger,’ and there has been consistent talk of a third ‘Princess Diaries’ movie coming together –– though that is still rumor for now.

Zendaya has had a busy and successful 2025 and is at work on Kristoffer Borgli new romantic pic ‘The Drama.’ Her future includes the next Spider-Man movie alongside Holland and a return to the ‘Euphoria’ set for the long-delayed third season, which is hopefully filming next year.

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.