Christopher Nolan has found his lead in his upcoming Oppenheimer film about, the father of the atomic bomb, scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer. Not only has the lead been cast, but also a release date has been announced

It was announced Friday by Universal Pictures and Nolan’s banner Syncopy that Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy will play Oppenheimer. The film will be released on July 21, 2023, typically reserved for past Nolan films.

Last month Deadline first reported Nolan’s Oppenheimer project and news of Universal acquiring the rights to the film after a heated bidding war between nearly every major film contender to buy the film.

Written and directed by Nolan is an epic thriller that immerses spectators in the heart-pounding dilemma of the mysterious man who must risk destroying the world in order to rescue it. Oppenheimer will be distributed theatrically globally by Universal Pictures and will be released in North America.

The film is based on Kai Bird and the late Martin J. Sherwin’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer. Sherwin, unfortunately, passed away earlier this week.

“Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas’ films have shattered the limits of what cinematic storytelling can achieve,” said Universal Filmed Entertainment Group Chairman, Donna Langley. “We are thrilled to be working alongside them on this exceptional and extraordinary project and are grateful for their shared passion and commitment to the theatrical experience.”

Production is expected to begin in early 2022, and it is said that the film will be shot on a combination of IMAX 65mm and 65mm large-format film for the best image quality.