Margot Robbie inBarbie(2023); Cillian Murphy inOppenheimer(2023).Photo:Warner Bros. Pictures; Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures
Warner Bros. Pictures; Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures
Margot Robbiewas firm onBarbie’s release date, regardless of what theOppenheimerteam had in mind.
In a conversation withOppenheimeractorCillian MurphyforVariety’s “Actors on Actors"series published Tuesday, the two discussed the phenomenon of their films, which were released on the same day this summer.
In the weeks leading up to the movies' shared July 21 release date, the internet coined the term"Barbenheimer” to label a viral trend challenging fansto see both theGreta Gerwig–directedBarbieandChristopher Nolan’sOppenheimerback to back.
“One of your producers,Chuck Roven, called me, because we worked together on some other projects. And he was like, ‘I think you guys should move your date,’ " Robbie, 33, who also co-producedBarbie, told Murphy, 47. “And I was like, ‘We’re not moving our date. If you’re scared to be up against us,then you move your date.’ "
“And he’s like, ‘We’re not moving our date. I just think it’d be better for you to move,’ " she recalled. “And I was like, ‘We’re not moving!’ "
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Robbie went on to say she thought the two films made the “perfect double billing,” with Murphy praising her “good instinct.”
“Clearly the world agreed. Thank God,” the Oscar-nominated actress said. “The fact that people were going and being like, ‘Oh, watchOppenheimerfirst, thenBarbie.’ I was like, ‘See? People like everything.’ People are weird.”
“And they don’t like being told what to do. They will decide, and they will generate the interest themselves,” Murphy added.
Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie on June 30, 2023.Hanna Lassen/Getty Images
Hanna Lassen/Getty Images
Robbie and Murphy have been open about their support for one another’s films.Oppenheimerraked in a global total of more than $950 million in theaters, whileBarbiebecame thehighest-grossing film of 2023(andWarner Bros.' biggest movie ever!) at over $1.44 billion worldwide.
In June, the officialBarbiemovie Twitter accountposted a trio of photosof a smiling Robbie and Gerwig, 40,holding up movie ticketsas they stood in front of the posters forOppenheimer,Indiana Jones and the Dial of DestinyandMission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One.
As for Murphy, he previously told Cinéfilos “sure” with a laugh whenasked if he’d ever play a Kenshould a secondBarbiemovie ever come to fruition, adding, “Let’s read the script and let’s have a conversation.”
“Ican’t wait to see it,” he said aboutBarbieat the time. “Can’t wait to see the movie. I think it’s great for cinema. You know, you’ve got all these great movies happening this summer.”
source: people.com
