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And the Oscar goes to ... 'Oppenheimer' picks up 7 Academy Awards
“Oppenheimer” continued its powerful award season run.
The New Mexico-filmed production went into the 96th Academy Awards with the most nominations at 13. It picked up seven, including Best Picture on Sunday.
“Oppenheimer” was released on July 21, 2023, and the period drama has made $952 million globally.
“Oppenheimer” is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer” by Kai Bird and the late Martin J. Sherwin.
It follows Oppenheimer’s journey working with the team behind the Manhattan Project as they developed what would become the atomic bomb.
Production on the “Oppenheimer” began in early 2022 in Los Alamos, Abiquiú, Santa Fe, Belen and Albuquerque.
The film didn’t have a home base, as the entire movie was filmed on location.
Robert Downey Jr.’s third nomination for an Oscar proved to be the charm.
He picked up the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Lewis Strauss in “Oppenheimer.”
“I’d like to thank my terrible childhood and the academy in that order,” Downey said in his acceptance speech. “I’d like to thank my wife, Susan Downey, she found me like a rescue pet and loved me back to life.”
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Downey thanked director Christopher Nolan and producer Emma Thomas for the role.
“I needed this job more than it needed me,” he says. “Chris knew it. Emma made sure she surrounded me by one of the most amazing casts. I stand here a better man for it. What we do is meaningful and what we decide to make is important.”
Cillian Murphy also had luck with his third nomination.
The Irish actor portrayed J. Robert Oppenheimer in the film and picked up the statuette for Best Actor.
Murphy accepted the role of J. Robert Oppenheimer even before reading the script.
“I’m a little overwhelmed,” Murphy said in his speech. “Chris Nolan and Emma Thomas … I owe you more than I can express. Every single crew member and cast members, you carried me through. We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb. And for better or worse, we are living in Oppenheimer’s world. I’d like to dedicate this to the peacemakers everywhere.”
Nolan went into the night with eight Oscar nominations.
He came out with his first win for Best Director.
“There are so many people who dragged me up here,” Nolan said. “I have so many people to thank. The most incredible cast, led by Cillian Murphy. The incredible crew we got on the film. Thank you for being there and believing in me.”
Ludwig Göransson picked up the Oscar for the “Oppenheimer” score and continued his award season sweep.
Jennifer Lame picked up the award for Best Film Editing.
“Emma Thomas, you amaze me,” Lame said. “Chris Nolan, you’re ok too. I was terrified when I first got hired. You took a big risk on me. I looked forward to working with you each day.”
Hoyte van Hoytema also continued his awards season sweep with the Academy Award for Best Cinematography.
“To all the aspiring filmmakers out there, please try filming the hip thing called celluloid,” van Hoytema said. “It’s much easier and it makes things look so much better.”
Emma Stone picked up her second Oscar for Best Actress for her role in “Poor Things.”
Da’Vine Joy Randolph also picked up the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in “The Holdovers.”
The telecast also had a “Twins” reunion with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito. The 1998 feature film was partially filmed in New Mexico.
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"Oppenheimer" took home awards in major categories at the 2024 Golden Globes including Best Motion Picture - Drama; Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture Drama for Cillian Murphy's portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer; Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture for Robert Downey Jr.'s role as Lewis Strauss; Best Original Score Motion Picture for Ludwig Göransson; Best Director Motion Picture for Christopher Nolan; while "Barbie" won a new category: Cinematic and Box Office Achievement as well as Best Song Motion Picture for "What Was I Made For?" by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell.
'Oppenheimer' grabs seven BAFTAs
