Cinema lovers around the globe are eagerly awaiting the release of Oppenheimer. The Christopher Nolan directorial, based on the development of the atomic bomb by J. Robert Oppenheimer, boasts of a stellar star cast.
Though the film is set in the 1940s, and features some thrilling visuals of bombs going off, Nolan has revealed that the team has taken minimal help from special effects, and almost all of the sequences are shot in real locations. So where was Oppenheimer filmed? Read on to find out.
Oppenheimer Filming Locations
Oppenheimer was mostly shot in the US in the states of California, New Jersey, and New Mexico. The filming began at the end of February 2022 and concluded in May of the same year. The Cillian Murphy starrer is the first film where some portions have been shot in IMAX black-and-white photographic film. Now let’s have a look at all the locations where Oppenheimer was shot:
Los Alamos, New Mexico
The production crew kicked off the filming in Los Alamos, a town in New Mexico, where the creation of the atomic bomb actually took place during the second world war under the Manhattan Project. A huge set was built in the town with the architectural design of the 1940s to showcase an authentic look of the era.
A number of real locations associated with the Manhattan Project, including the Lamy Train Station, the Civilian Women’s Dormitory, and Fuller Lodge, were also utilized for the shooting of the film. The house, where J. Robert Oppenheimer lived with his family during the project, is also featured in the film.
Another city in New Mexico, Santa Fe, served as a backdrop for the production of the film. The crew was seen filming some key sequences in the city with local artists in February 2022, including the one featuring the Trinity Test. Notably, real explosives were used at the site to shoot the scene instead of computer-generated effects.
California
Before being assigned to the Manhattan Project, J. Robert Oppenheimer worked as a professor at the University of California in Berkley. To show his journey as an academician, the film’s crew designed a set at the institute and gave it a 1940s vibe.Â
Some actual locations at the university are also featured in the film, including the Edwards Stadium, the library, and Oppenheimer’s office. The college’s Los Angeles campus was also utilized as a filming location.
Additionally, a century-old house in Sierra Madre, California, hosted the cast and crew to film some important scenes. The property is reportedly a historical landmark designated by the Cultural Heritage Commission. The filming took place in the living room, bedroom, and outside the $3 million estate.
Princeton, New Jersey
After carrying out the Manhattan Project, Oppenheimer shifted to New Jersey and was appointed the director of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. There, he also met Albert Einstein as his colleague. Institute for Advanced Study, along with Princeton University have now served as a filming location for Oppenheimer.
Oppenheimer releases in theaters on Friday, July 21st. For more news and updates, keep watching this space.
