“It’s a rivalry, simple as that”- Fans counter Matt Damon’s claim over Oppenheimer x Barbie rivalry

Oppenheimer X Barbie (Image via Universal/WB)

With their release date inching closer, the rivalry between fans of Christopher Nolan's upcoming historical drama Oppenheimer and Greta Gerwig's offbeat take on the toy line, Barbie, continues to grow.

But Matt Damon, who is fresh off his successful stroll in Ben Affleck's Air, commented on this alleged rivalry after having been unaware of the same for a long time. Damon, who will be seen in Nolan’s upcoming historical drama as General Leslie Groves, said he was unaware of this "bomb vs. bombshell rivalry" in a recent interview with Vanity Fair:

"This is the first I’m hearing about it, actually. I haven’t paid any attention to that...People are allowed to go see two movies in a weekend. Oppenheimer is one of them!...If that’s the case, they’ll see two movies that weekend!"

A tweet reply to Discussing Film's post about Matt Damon's latest interview (Image via Twitter)

However, fans were quick to counter the veteran actor's claim, pointing out that it is a rivalry and should be treated like one. Fans of both sides have made it a prominent agenda to pit the two films releasing on July 21, 2023, against each other for quite some time now.

Of course, this rivalry may end up profiting the two films more than it causes harm. But it is still a fact that Barbie and Oppenheimer will have to fight each other at the opening weekend and in theater slots.

Barbie and Oppenheimer fans debate rivalries and a double feature

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It is almost funny how quickly fans have come to either support or counter Matt Damon's about attending both films. Most viewers will want to watch both Barbie and Oppenheimer, but that did not stop a fraction of the viewers from bringing up the rivalry topic again, with some even taking sides.

Both Barbie and Oppenheimer have had a lot of buzz surrounding them in recent months. The former is a film by Greta Gerwig and involves Noah Baumbach. It also features a star cast of Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu, Emma McKay, Will Ferell, and Michael Cera.

Oppenheimer is directed by the acclaimed Christopher Nolan and follows the titular physician in the infamous Manhattan Project. It stars Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Rami Malek, Benny Safdie, Michael Angarano, Josh Hartnett, and Kenneth Branagh.

Both films will release on July 21, 2023.

Edited by Somava