Ever since Christopher Nolan announced that his next film would be based on the father of the atomic bomb, people have been curious about how Japan will react to it. As the release date nears, the question still lingers on whether Oppenheimer will release in Japan or not. The IMAX historical epic is all set for a global debut, but its release in the East Asian country remains uncertain, thanks to the film’s sensitive subject matter.
Let’s take a look at all the factors behind Oppenheimer’s release uncertainty in Japan, how things have changed over the years, and more.
Oppenheimer’s release plans in Japan
The film is scheduled for release in the United States and other parts of the world on July 21. However, fans are eager to know whether Japan will embrace Oppenheimer despite the evident controversy surrounding it.
Universal Pictures may have produced and distributed the film worldwide, but when it comes to Japan, it all boils down to Toho-Towa. The nation’s largest distributor of Hollywood films will decide whether Oppenheimer will secure a release date in the country.
The company has yet to screen the film, but industry insiders suggest that a screening will take place soon. However, it is essential to note that Hollywood studios, including Universal, wield influence but do not have the final say on release dates in Japan.
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This dynamic often results in American-made films debuting in Japan months after their North American release. Nevertheless, two major tentpole films, Barbie and Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, have already secured release dates in Japan.
Japan’s sensitivity to Oppenheimer explained
It’s common knowledge that Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated biopic Oppenheimer revolves around the creation of the atomic bomb during World War II. A quick history lesson: the war ended with one of the worst human tragedies at Japan’s expense.
On August 6 and 9, 1945, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki signaled the end of the second world war. The aerial bombings led to an estimated death toll of between 129,000 and 226,000 people, most of whom were civilians.
Japanese people still feel the incident’s aftermath almost 80 years later. The subject remains sensitive due to the country’s painful history. It’s inevitable that Oppenheimer will be controversial to their audience, despite the film’s intentions.
Previous sensitive releases in Japan
It’s not just a matter of sensitivity but also how the audience welcomes an American-backed film set in the Pacific theater of World War II. Hugh Jackman’s The Wolverine featured a sequence of Nagasaki’s bombing. It led to a poor box office performance in Japan.
However, Clint Eastwood’s companion pieces in 2006, Letters From Iwo Jima and Flags of Our Fathers, fared differently in Japan. The films depicted the same battle from different perspectives.
The Japanese-language Letters From Iwo Jima made over $42.9 million, while Flags of Our Fathers earned only $13.1 million. However, Oppenheimer differs from these films as it focuses on conversational conflicts and laboratories rather than the actual battlefield.
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