While not a lot is known aboutChristopher Nolan’s next movie, its cast is already stacked with A-list talent. Christopher Nolan is no stranger to starry lineups. His most recent movie, 2023’s biopicOppenheimer, included a historically impressive cast list dotted with Oscar winners, blockbuster stars, and acclaimed character actors alike.Oppenheimer’s cast of characterswould be tough for any director to outdo but, never one to shy away from a challenge, Nolan has evidently taken it upon himself to offer viewers an even starrier affair next time. His 2026 mystery movie’s cast is shaping up to be a doozy.
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Oppenheimer’s lineup included Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr, Matt Damon, Florence Pugh, Casey Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Benny Safdie, Rami Malek, Kenneth Branagh, Jason Clarke, Dane DeHaan, Matthew Modine, Macon Blair, Josh Peck, Alex Wolff, Gary Oldman, Olivia Thirlby, and David Dastmalchian. Astoundingly, the movie included even more notable actors whose names weren’t listed above. Of all of these stars, only one can be found in the cast list ofNolan’s next movie, whose story and setting have not yet been announced. However, this lone name is an A-list star, and their co-stars are equally impressive.
6Matt Damon
Oppenheimer’s A-List Star Returns For Nolan’s New Movie
Matt Damon will appear in an undisclosed role in Nolan’s 2026 movie, making him the sole holdover fromOppenheimer’s cast. Damon played General Leslie Groves, the director of the Manhattan Project, inOppenheimer. Before that, Damon collaborated with Nolan on 2014’sInterstellarwhere he played the astronaut Dr. Mann. While these are the pair’s only two earlier collaborations, Damon’s career means he might be the biggest star in the cast list for Nolan’s next movie. Since the ‘90s, Damon has been a multiplex mainstay who combined commercial success with acclaimed performances in award-winning dramas.
Some of Matt Damon’s best movies were released in the ‘00s, with the star appearing in The Departed, The Bourne Ultimatum, and True Grit.
Damon made a name for himself with roles in 1997’sGood Will Hunting, 1998’sSaving Private Ryan, and 1999’sThe Talented Mr. Ripley, and the ‘00s saw him branch out into crowd-pleasing blockbusters. Roles inOcean’s Eleven,The Bourne Identity, and Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarronsoon followed. Some ofMatt Damon’s best movieswere released as the ‘00s continued, with the star appearing inThe Departed,The Bourne Ultimatum, andTrue Grit. Throughout the 2010s, Damon balanced personal projects likeSuburbiconandMargaretwith bigger blockbusters likeElysium,The Martian,Jason Bourne, andThe Great Wall.
Now, Damon’s role in Nolan’s new movie could bring the star back into the spotlight after various supporting roles in recent years. Damon shone inOppenheimer, but star Cillian Murphy’s central performance ensured Damon’s part was squarely a supporting role. Damon’s lead roles in recent years have largely been critical or commercial disappointments, such as 2023’sAiror 2021’sThe Last Duel. Minor cameos inIF,Thor: Love and Thunder,Jay and Silent Reboot, andDeadpool 2notwithstanding, it has been some time since viewers saw the star in a major big-budget studio tentpole, as is Nolan’s style.
5Anne Hathaway
Nolan Collaborated With Hathaway On Interstellar and The Dark Knight Rises
Anne Hathaway will appear in Nolan’s new movie, and this will mark her third collaboration with the director. Despite how massiveOppenheimer’s sprawling cast was, Hathaway didn’t appear in the director’s 2023 historical drama.Anne Hathaway collaborated with Nolan on 2014’sInterstellarand 2012’sThe Dark Knight Rises, both of which were acclaimed by critics upon release. While some ofNolan’s more out-of-order storiesleft critics divided, such as 2020’sTenet, Hathaway’s collaborations with the director reliably earned both her and Nolan praise. This makes 2026’s upcoming Nolan movie all the more exciting.
Outside of her earlier collaborations with Nolan, Hathaway first rose to prominence thanks to Disney’sThe Princess Diaries.That coming-of-age comedy marked her out as a talent to watch, although Hathaway struggled to recreate its success in the years that followed with less acclaimed family films likeHoodwinked,The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, andElla Enchanted. Hathaway’s swing toward drama roles won her acclaim, as a supporting part in 2005’sBrokeback Mountainestablished her as a serious awards contender. Meanwhile, inThe Devil Wears Prada, Hathaway proved she could still anchor a rom-com.
Anne Hathaway had a great 2024 thanks to Eileen and The Idea of You, making Nolan’s casting a stellar choice.
Since then, Hathaway has balanced her fair share of flops and hits. 2010’sAlice in Wonderlandwas a billion-dollar success but derided by critics. 2012’sLes Miserableswon Hathaway an Oscar, but the years that followed saw her weather a string of movies that underperformed with critics likeThe Intern,Colossal, andThe Hustle. Fortunately, 2018’s ensemble heist movieOcean’s 8was a big hit for Hathaway, and recent years have seen her career take a positive turn.Anne Hathaway had a great 2024thanks toEileenandThe Idea of You, making Nolan’s casting a stellar choice.
4Zendaya
Challengers Star Zendaya Plays An Unknown Role In Nolan’s New Movie
While Zendaya might be one of the younger stars listed in the cast of Nolan’s new movie, this doesn’t mean she is a lesser-known talent. If anything,Nolan’s casting of Zendaya is arguably as exciting as Damon’s castingthanks to her varied career so far. A former Disney Channel star, Zendaya first rose to prominence as Spider-Man’s love interest Michelle inSpider-Man: 2017’s Homecoming. 2019’sSpider-Man: Far From Homegave her a bigger role, while the same year’sEuphoriaestablished her as a serious dramatic star. 2021 was a massive year for Zendaya, thanks to the one-two punch ofDuneandSpider-Man: No Way Home.
This pair of blockbusters made Zendaya a household name, but her star power has only grown since. 2024’sDune: Part Twowas even more acclaimed than its predecessor, whilethe sports dramaChallengersproved Zendaya may be an awards contender when the 2025 Oscars roll around. This, combined with the upcomingEuphoriaseason 3, marks Zendaya out as one of the biggest stars of Generation Z. Thus, Nolan’s casting of the blockbuster heroine is both majorly exciting and a canny choice on the part of the director thanks to her outsized and well-earned popularity.
3Tom Holland
Nolan’s Movie Also Stars The MCU’s Spider-Man Actor
Thanks to the MCU,Tom Holland is one of the biggest names on the cast list of Nolan’s new movie. However, his casting isn’t just a win for Nolan. Despite the success of theSpider-Manmovies, Holland has had a hard time escaping the shadow of his star-making role. 2019’sSpies in Disguise, 2020’sDolittle, the same year’sOnward, and 2021’sChaos: Walkingwere all box office letdowns, and onlyOnwardcould blame this issue squarely on the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the industry. Thus, after 2022’sUnchartedfared poorly with critics, Nolan’s movie could be Holland’s first commercial and critical success outside the MCU.
2Lupita Nyong’o
Nyong’o’s Blockbuster Career Continues With A Role In Nolan’s Mystery Movie
AlthoughChristopher Nolan’s mysterious new moviehasn’t given viewers any detail in terms of its story or characters, the project’s cast alone gives fans a lot to get hyped about. The addition of Lupita Nyong’o, another star who had not yet worked with Nolan on an earlier movie, only makes this more exciting. Nyong’o first rose to prominence with her breakout role in 2013’s12 Years A Slave. The part of Patsey won her a Best Supporting Actress Oscar and the following years saw her establish a historically impressive blockbuster career.
A Quiet Place: Day One cemented Nyong’o’s status as an A-list star once again.
Nyong’o followed12 Years A Slavewith supporting roles inStar Wars: The Force Awakensand 2016’sThe Jungle Book, before playing Nakia in 2018’s acclaimedBlack Panther. After that, 2019 saw her star in the indie horror comedyLittle Monstersas well as director Jordan Peele’s acclaimedUs. 2022’s disappointingThe 355proved Nyong’o wasn’t infallible, but the star wisely followed this up withBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever. More recently,A Quiet Place: Day Onecemented Nyong’o’s status as an A-list star once again, earning a staggering $261 million and surprisingly stellar reviews for a horror franchise prequel.
1Charlize Theron
Charlize Theron is the latest star to join Christopher Nolan’s 2026 movie, and her addition to the cast ups the star power of the movie even further.Charlize Theron’s many action moviesmark her out as a genre queen, but she is arguably as well known for her many acclaimed dramatic roles. Acting since 1995, Theron has appeared in over 50 movies. Her early career was plagued by notable flops likeThat Thing You Do!,Mighty Joe Young,The Astronaut’s Wife, andThe Legend of Bagger Vance, but Theron managed to quietly build a name for herself despite these high-profile misfires.
Christopher Nolan’s next movie will reportedly be released on June 26, 2025, according toVariety.
2003 was a turning point for Theron as she starred in the Aileen Wuornos biopicMonster, earning an Oscar for her layered, complex portrayal of the serial killer. In the years that followed, Theron began appearing in bigger blockbusters once more. 2012’sPrometheusand the same year’sSnow White and Huntsmanwere followed by 2015’s acclaimedMad Max: Fury Road, and roles in 2017’sAtomic BlondeandThe Fate of the Furiousbuilt on this success. Theron hasn’t been seen on the big screen much in recent years outside 2023’sFast X, makingChristopher Nolan’s next movie all the more exciting.
