Christopher Nolan’s World War II epic, Oppenheimer, is set to make its debut in Japan in 2024, after premiering in the United States in July 2023. The film, distributed locally by Bitters End, is anticipated to be a strong contender for various film awards, although a specific release date has not been disclosed.
Starring Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist responsible for the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the movie has earned over $950 million globally. Despite its success, Oppenheimer faced criticism for its omission of portrayals of the people of Japan affected by the atomic bomb.
An Apology From Warner Bros. Film Group
The marketing campaign for the July 2023 double feature of Barbenheimer drew backlash, leading to an apology from Warner Bros. Film Group. Moreover, a meme featuring Margot Robbie on the shoulders of the Oppenheimer title character, played by Murphy, with an atomic bomb explosion in the background went viral.
Additionally, the controversy sparked an online petition against Warner Bros. U.S., with Warner Bros. Japan issuing an apology for the inconsiderate reactions and expressing regret over the incident. Furthermore, the hashtag #NoBarbenheimer trended in Japan, with a Change.org petition amassing over 16,000 signatures in just two days.
