The upcoming biographical thriller, Oppenheimer, is about J. Robert Oppenheimer, a theoretical physicist who was instrumental in designing the first nuclear bombs as part of the Manhattan Project. Christopher Nolan wrote, produced, and directed the picture, which stars Cillian Murphy as Oppenheimer.
The film is set in the 1940s and recounts Oppenheimer’s rise from a talented young scientist to a Manhattan Project director. The film will delve into Oppenheimer’s complicated personality, moral quandaries, and legacy as the “Father of the Atomic Bomb.” Oppenheimer will be released in theatres on July 21, 2023.
The picture has gotten praise from critics, with many applauding Nolan’s direction and Murphy’s acting. As you scroll down, you will see the cast list for Oppenheimer, along with an explanation below.
Who is the Cast of the New Movie Oppenheimer?
The main cast list is as follows:
- Cillian Murphy as J Robert Oppenheimer
- Emily Bunt as Katherine ‘Kitty’ Oppenheimer
- Matt Damon as Leslie Groves
- Florence Pugh as Jean Tatlock
- Robert Downey Jr as Lewis Strauss
- Dylan Arnold as Frank Oppenheimer
- Josh Hartnett as Ernest Lawrence
- Matthew Modine as Vannevar Bush
- Emma Dumont as Jackie Oppenheimer
- Benny Safdie as Edward Teller
- Kenneth Branagh as Niels Bohr
- Jack Quaid as Richard Feynman
- Gary Oldman as Harry S. Truman
- Olivia Thirlby as Lilli Hornig
- Tom Conti as Albert Einstein
- Dane DeHaan as Kenneth Nichols
Read on for everything you need to know about the cast and characters.
Cillian Murphy plays J. Robert Oppenheimer
Cillian Murphy will play J. Robert Oppenheimer, a theoretical physicist who played a vital role in the Manhattan Project’s development of the first nuclear weapons. Murphy is most recognized for his roles in Inception, The Dark Knight, and Peaky Blinders.

He is a versatile actor who can play complicated and subtle characters. He will bring to life Oppenheimer, the brilliant yet disturbed scientist who created one of history’s most lethal weapons.
Murphy is most recognized for his performance in Peaky Blinders as Tommy Shelby. In addition to 28 Days Later, Cold Mountain, Red Eye, Breakfast on Pluto, The Edge of Love, Inception, Dunkirk, and The Dark Knight Rises, the Irish actor has appeared in several other films.
Emily Bunt plays Katherine ‘Kitty’ Oppenheimer
The wife of Robert Oppenheimer. She is most recognized for her roles in The Devil Wears Prada, Looper, The Young Victoria, Salmon Fishing in Yemen, Into the Woods, Edge of Tomorrow, and Mary Poppins Returns. She has recently acted in A Quiet Place and its sequel, Jungle Cruise, and the BBC drama The English and The Girl on the Train, for which she was nominated for a BAFTA.

Matt Damon plays Leslie Groves
A United States Army lieutenant general who collaborated with Oppenheimer on the Manhattan Project. You may recognize Damon from the Bourne series. He has also appeared in real-life roles such as Carroll Shelby in Ford v. Ferrari and James Granger in The Monuments Men in 2014.

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Florence Pugh plays Jean Tatlock
A psychiatrist and member of the United States Communist Party who had a love relationship with Robert Oppenheimer.

Pugh’s other films include Little Women, Hawkeye, Fighting with My Family, Midsommar, Don’t Worry Darling, and The Wonder. She most recently provided the voice of Goldilocks in the Puss in Boots sequel.
Robert Downey Jr. plays Lewis Strauss
Lewis Strauss, a naval commander who served on the United States Atomic Energy Commission for two terms.

What other films have Robert Downey Jr. appeared in?Downey is most known for playing Tony Stark in ten Marvel Cinematic Universe films, beginning with Iron Man in 2008. Downey Jr. has also played Sherlock Holmes in Guy Ritchie’s film of the same name and its sequel. In addition, he has acted in Chaplin, Ally McBeal, and Tropic Thunder.
Dylan Arnold plays Frank Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer’s younger sibling. Frank was a physics professor at the University of Colorado. You may recognize him as Cameron in the 2018 Halloween reboot and its sequel Halloween Kills. He also appeared in the final season of Nashville. He most recently appeared in You season 3 as Dylan Arnold, a college student.

Josh Hartnett plays Ernest Lawrence
A nuclear physicist from the United States. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1939 for developing the cyclotron. During World War II, he also assisted Oppenheimer in constructing the atomic bomb.
Hartnett rose to prominence in 1998 as a co-star in the Halloween series film Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, opposite Jamie Lee Curtis. Other films in which he has appeared include The Faculty, Pearl Harbor, and Black Hawk Down.
Matthew Modine plays Vannevar Bush
An electrical engineer led the Office of Scientific Research and Development. Modine starred as Marine Private/Sergeant JT Davis in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket. He later appeared in films such as Birdy, Married to the Mob, and Short Cuts. In Stranger Things, Modine also plays the menacing scientist Dr. Martin Brenner.
Dane DeHaan plays Kenneth Nichols
Manhattan Project district engineer. DeHaan is remembered for his roles as the Green Goblin in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and as the lead in Chronicle.
FAQs
What is the movie about?
The movie Oppenheimer is a biographical thriller about J. Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist who was pivotal in developing the first nuclear weapons as part of the Manhattan Project. The film is written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan, and it stars Cillian Murphy as Oppenheimer.
When is the movie coming out?
The movie Oppenheimer is scheduled to be released in theatres on July 21, 2023.
Who is directing the movie?
The movie Oppenheimer is directed by Christopher Nolan, known for his work on films such as Inception, The Dark Knight, and Dunkirk. Nolan is a master of visual storytelling, and he is expected to bring a unique and compelling vision to the story of Oppenheimer.
What is the movie’s budget?
The movie Oppenheimer has a budget of $100 million. This makes it one of the most expensive films ever made.
What is the movie’s rating?
The movie Oppenheimer has not yet been rated. However, it is expected to be rated R for violence and disturbing images.
Where can I watch the movie?
The movie Oppenheimer will be released in theatres on July 21, 2023. It will not stream on any platforms until after its theatrical release.