Christopher Nolan’s new action movieTenetwill cost more than $200 million, sources tell Collider in the wake of aVarietystory that pegged the number at an eye-popping $225 million – and that’sbeforea nine-figure marketing campaign.
Nolan is, of course, one of the few people on the planet who could command such an enormous budget for an original movie that isn’t based on a popular IP. Collider’s sources put the number at $205 million –at least– which isn’t to cast aspersions toward Variety’s report, but simply confirms the trade’s conclusion that the budget is, without question, north of the $200 million milestone. Interestingly enough, the trade later revised its number to $205 million without noting any kind of update.
For those keeping score at home, Nolan’s ownInceptioncosta reported $160 million, and that movie had cities folding in on themselves, plusLeonardo DiCaprio– and to be honest, I don’t know which costs more. Either way,Tenetdoesn’t have DiCaprio, though starRobert Pattinson, soon to be seen in WB’sThe Batman, is on the same trajectory, and the film’s true leadJohn David Washingtonproved he can carry a movie withSpike Lee’sBlacKkKlansman.
Little is known aboutTenetbeyond the fact that it’s a high-stakes epic set within the world of international espionage, but given the budget, you can expect plenty of spectacle.The trailerhints that Nolan will be playing with time here, and if anyone can pull off a heady spy movie, it’s the director ofInception. As they say on the Warner Bros. lot, “In Nolan We Trust.” With Nolan, every penny winds up on the screen, and it’s money well spent – even if it is, in fact, $20 million more than what we’ve heard from our own sources. The truth is, in the scheme of things, $20 million is splitting hairs. It’s nothing compared to the range of budgets I’ve seen reported forThe Irishman, ahem.
Tenetco-starsElizabeth Debicki,Aaron Taylor-Johnson,Clémence Poésy,Himesh Patel,Dimple Kapadia,Martin Donovan,Kenneth Branaghand Nolan’s good luck charmMichael Caine, who played Alfred in the director’sDark Knighttrilogy. And guess who’s doing the score?Ludwig Göransson, the man behindBlack Panther,Creed, and most recently,The Mandalorian. That’s a lot of bang for your buck, and Warner Bros.' bucks, too.
Warners, which does not comment regarding its budgets, will releaseTeneton July 17th, the day that Time. Runs. Out. For a list ranking Nolan’s movies that I personally endorse even though it’s not mine and he would hate the idea,click here.
