Christopher Nolan earned two major Oscars on Sunday night for best director and one of the producers of Best Picture winner, Oppenhemer.
In addition to peer recognition and increased industry prestige, Nolan stands to reap major financial benefits from his Oscar-winning blockbuster.
Nolan’s final payday for the film is close to $100 million, according to sources. That figure represents a combination of salary, backend compensation, box-office escalators and a bonus for his twin Academy Awards.
The Universal film earned 7 Oscars total, including trophies for actor Cillian Murphy and supporting actor Robert Downey Jr.
Made on a budget of $100 million, it was released on July 19, becoming half of the one-two “Barbenheimer” punch, the film earned $958 million worldwide.
It’s a huge commercial success, considering “Oppenheimer’s” R rating and three-hour running time.
It also marks the highest-grossing best picture winner since 2004’s The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
Oppenheimer is rereleased in 1,000 theaters this weekend with its newly minted best picture status. That should run up the film’s final box-office tally and eclipse the $1 billion threshold, triggering an additional bonus for the director.
