Universal Chief Donna Langley on Landing Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer,’ Oscars Controversy
variety.comBrent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaWhen Christopher Nolan was shopping for a studio for “Oppenheimer,” his look at the creation of the atomic bomb, Donna Langley sprang into action.
The Universal Filmed Entertainment Group chairman believes that Nolan, along with Steven Spielberg and Jordan Peele, is one of the few filmmakers whose name above the title demands that audience will pay attention.
In an age of streaming and superheroes, that kind of branding has become a rare and valuable thing.“He makes films that are undeniably theatrical,” Langley said of Nolan during a panel discussion at SXSW on Saturday. “We really focus and strive to create an environment for filmmakers where they can do their best work and minimize the friction and noise, and complement their film with an excellent distribution and marketing campaign.” Plus, “the script [for ‘Oppenheimer’] is phenomenal.” Under Langley, Universal is one of the rare studios that mixes big event films such as the upcoming “Jurassic World: Dominion” and last year’s ninth “Fast & Furious” movie with smaller, more personal movies such as Peele’s upcoming horror film “Nope.” That’s partly because Langley’s taste is eclectic, and it’s also a strategy borne out of necessity.
Unlike Disney or Warner Bros., Universal lacks an in-house comic book arm. “We don’t have IP,” Langley confessed to CNN’s Frank Pallotta, the moderator of the hour-long discussion.Her job has only become more challenging during the pandemic.
Read more on variety.com