In-Depth Analysis: Barbie vs. Oppenheimer
A highly anticipated cinematic heavyweight bout will take place one year from today. Greta Gerwig’s Barbie vs. Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. Both films are scheduled for July 21, 2023. It remains to be seen who will emerge victorious from this duel on opening weekend. In the meantime, one can only speculate on the facts!
Cast :
Oppenheimer has one of the most impressive acting rosters ever assembled. Cillian Murphy headlines a group that includes Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr, Florence Pugh, Rami Malek, and many other talented performers. Another example of actors lining up to work with Nolan, no matter how significant their role is. They would rather have a minor role than pass up a quality project.
As for the cast of Barbie, Greta Gerwig provided her expertise, as did Nolan. The headliners are Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, who play Barbie and Ken. America Ferrera, Simu Liu, Kate McKinnon, Ariana Greenblatt, Alexandra Shipp, Emma Mackey, Issa Rae, and Will Ferrell round out the cast. Eye-catching personalities for what promises to be a fun movie!
Advantage : Oppenheimer. It was a close call, how many times are you going to face Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling and win?
Directing :
Christopher Nolan follows up his latest film, Tenet, with Oppenheimer. As always, he directs from a script he wrote. The auteur director is known for presenting a complex and captivating story with his distinctive style. Nolan is a pioneer of big-budget cinema with his use of practical camera effects and emphasis on camerawork. He has been nominated for five Academy Awards throughout his illustrious career.
Greta Gerwig’s next venture is Barbie with Warner Bros. Gerwig’s two directorial efforts, Lady Bird and Little Women, have been nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. She is inspired by her own life, and her films develop further from this inspiration. The coming-of-age genre, so far, is her hallmark. Barbie is about to compete for an Oscar.
Advantage : Tied. I couldn’t decide between Nolan and Gerwig, both excellent in their profession.
Screenplay :
Christopher Nolan has long been his screenwriter. His directed films are personal interests and pet projects as he wrote the scripts. Nolan has a library of information about the characters he chose to include in Oppenheimer. Considering the lineup of actors he has assembled for Oppenheimer, there is no denying his screenplay is up to par.
Greta Gerwig teamed up with her partner, Noah Baumbach, to write the screenplay for Barbie. They previously collaborated on Frances Ha & Mistress America. In addition to her directorial duties, she was the lead writer for Lady Bird and Little Women. Gerwig and Baumbach’s focus on the intellectual property seems like an exciting twist. Their script will take the doll in an entirely new and original direction.
Advantage : Tied. Screenplay recognition from the Academy Awards on both sides!
Plot :
Oppenheimer will follow theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, director of the Los Alamos Laboratory during the Manhattan Project, and his contributions that led to the creation of the atomic bomb. The film is based on a true story.
According to insiders, Barbie takes place in Barbieland, a beautiful and colorful society with various Kens and Barbies. That is until Robbie’s Barbie and Gosling’s Ken leave Barbieland for the real world and are forced to face their realities.
Advantage : Oppenheimer. In regards to plot, Christopher Nolan’s picture takes the honors by a slim margin.
Adaptation :
Christopher Nolan wrote Oppenheimer’s screenplay based on American Prometheus, a biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer written by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin. He was inspired by the story while adding, I’m sure, an original Nolan touch.
Barbie is based on the plaything of the American toy company Mattel, Inc. Mattel has been in the Barbie business since the first design of the famous doll in 1959. This is an original interpretation of a familiar IP. The motion picture is not the adaptation of any specific story.
Advantage : Barbie. Barbie has been around for years, the source material is endless.
Cinematography :
Nolan tends to keep the good stuff rolling. As a result, Hoyte van Hoytema is back for another round with Oppenheimer. Van Hoytema has worked with Nolan on Interstellar, Dunkirk, and Tenet. He will soon collaborate with another auteur director, Jordan Peele, on Nope. Both place great importance on the cinematography of their films, aiming to deliver spectacular scenery.
There has been no official confirmation regarding the hiring of Barbie’s director of photography. However, Rodrigo Prieto has been spotted alongside Greta Gerwig in leaked set photos. Prieto has been nominated for three Best Cinematography Oscars. The nominees were Brokeback Mountain, Silence, and The Irishman.
Advantage : Hoyte van Hoytema. The Dutch-Swedish cinematographer has collaborated with Nolan to deliver true visual masterpieces.
Set Pictures :
A few Oppenheimer set photos to give us a first glance at J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), Kitty Oppenheimer (Emily Blunt), Jean Tatlock (Florence Pugh), Leslie Groves (Matt Damon), and Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr.). All the actors were in costume.
The leaked images from the Barbie set are both colorful and striking. They feature Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling embracing their bright costumes. The actors seem to be having a blast under Greta Gerwig’s leadership. These photos also offer a better indication of the movie’s direction. The film looks like fun, just from the behind-the-scenes shots.
Advantage: Barbie. The set photos of Robbie and Gosling increased my eagerness!
Music :
As stated, Nolan tends to reconnect with those he has collaborated with, both on and off camera. Ludwig Göransson is back to score Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. The Swedish composer is one of the most sought-after in his position and is sure to supply some musical prowess.
Warner Brothers and Greta Gerwig have yet to announce a composer for their upcoming Barbie film. It will be interesting to see who they end up hiring.
Advantage : Ludwig Göransson. Göransson is not against anyone at the moment, but he is sure to have a leg up regardless!
Trailer :
Trailers for Oppenheimer or Barbie have yet to be unveiled. The previews will likely be released closer to the release dates of both films during the promotion for the 2023 summer movie season.
Advantage : To be determined.
Early Box Office Predictions :
It’s tricky to make a box office estimate this far without having the footage from both films. Most of Christopher Nolan’s films have grossed between 400 and 800 million, and with Oppenheimer’s casting, I think the movie will hit the high end of its potential revenue range. Barbie is a different situation, one that is still unresolved. Is Barbie an intellectual property that will draw fans into theaters? How far can this ensemble take the film if not to the promised land? I think Oppenheimer will do more business on opening weekend as of July 2022.
Let me know in the comments who you think has the edge in each category for the simultaneous movie openings!
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