First details emerge for Christopher Nolan's next big film as major star is cast

After dominating the Oscars with Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan apparently already has his eyes set on his next project.

His smash-hit biopic bagged seven wins in total for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, Best Actor for Cillian Murphy as the titular character and Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr., as Rear Admiral Lewis Strauss.

But Nolan is showing no signs of slowing down and is reportedly already working on his follow-up project.

Nolan, known for other blockbuster hits such as The Dark Knight, Inception and Interstellar among other titles, could be back with another industry-changing movie, returning to the studio he partnered with for Oppenheimer.

According to Deadline, the director will be working with Universal for his next film, with a release date and a Hollywood A-lister in talks to star. Universal didn't provide comment when approached.

Nolan will be hoping to get a couple more of these under his belt (John Shearer/WireImage/Getty)

Obviously, similar to his previous projects, details of the plot are being kept under wraps, but sources have also detailed that the film might begin shooting early next year.

Industry experts thought the successful director would take his next film's studio rights to market, but Universal always seemed to be the banker following the overwhelming success of Oppenheimer, grossing $977 million (£746.6 million) worldwide against a budget of $100 million (£76.4 million).

But that's not the only news.

Cillian Murphy starred in the 2023 epic (Universal)

It has been said by sources that there are plans for an IMAX release on 17 July 2026, a date that lines up with several of Nolan's past films with similar release dates.

Matt Damon is also reportedly in talks to star in the new film, which would mark the third time the actor and director have worked together on a project, as Damon played General Leslie Groves in Oppenheimer as well as astronaut Dr. Mann in Interstellar.

Will Nolan's next project receive as much acclaim as Oppenheimer? (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

Nolan is known for trusting the same few actors with his projects, having partnered with the likes of Christian Bale and Cillian Murphy on at least three occasions.

If the news is true and the project is going ahead as planned, it would come as no surprise if the cast was as star-studded as the director's previous flicks.

Don't be shocked if a familiar face appears on screens come the summer of 2026 - we've already marked our calendars for 17 July.