Matt Damon discusses how Ben Affleck’s grandfather influenced his portrayal of Leslie Richard Groves in Christopher Nolan’s epic about the Manhattan Project. Groves, a U.S. Army lieutenant general, was a central figure among the military leaders directing the project’s wartime efforts. Damon explains that Affleck’s grandfather, a celebrated World War II veteran, helped him acclimate to the role by sharing firsthand memories from the era.
Damon recounts conversations with Affleck’s grandfather, who provided detailed insights into the period when the atomic program was taking shape. The veteran described how the military initially reacted to the creation of the atomic bomb and to the decisions surrounding the use of that weapon on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The veteran’s evolving perspective—from cautious approval to deep concern about the consequences—left a lasting impression on Groves’s portrayal. Damon notes that for many years he carried a sense of responsibility and sorrow tied to that pivotal moment in history.
Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan, released globally on July 20, 2023. In the film, Cillian Murphy embodies Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist often regarded as the symbolic father of the atomic bomb, and the narrative centers on the fierce moral and scientific challenges faced during the project’s development.
In related film news, Artem Mikhalkov announced plans to shoot a new project focused on the blockade and Olympic champion Tyukalov, signaling ongoing interest in historical and geopolitical themes within cinema.