It’s looking more and more likely that Christopher Nolan‘s next movie will be some sort of futuristic homage to the 1983 action movie, Blue Thunder — a movie I didn’t even know existed until Dhalgren made a YouTube video about it earlier this year. (You can watch the insightful video review here.)
Of course, none of this has been confirmed yet, but if the rumors are true, I’ve already bought my ticket. Matt Damon and Tom Holland are two actors that I’m always interested in watching on the big screen and seeing them in a Nolan movie is like Christmas coming early. Yeah, I know Damon has already been in two Nolan movies, but his roles in both Interstellar and Oppenheimer were small and unmemorable. This is going to be a leading role.
Again, while unconfirmed, a production listing for the untitled Nolan movie claims that the project focuses on “a pair of aerial helicopter cops, with an older mentor and younger lead.” Naturally, Damon would be playing the mentor while Holland the younger lead. Other details about this rumored movie include Nolan working with the NYPD Aviation Unit, with the setting being a futuristic New York City.
“Instead of circulating a screenplay to key personnel, Christopher Nolan has apparently made sure they each received high-quality versions of the 1983 movie Blue Thunder that starred Roy Scheider and was directed by John Badham as well as various items of written work related to that film. The film won’t be a remake of Blue Thunder but it will be based on a character at the Helicopter Aviation Unit and a powerful Helicopter in the vein of Blue Thunder. Christopher Nolan is a fan of the film and it was his starting point when putting the project together,” claims the rumor (via X).
Again, this could all be a load of hogwash, but, as someone who enjoys Nolan when he goes full sci-fi, I cannot help but be interested. We’ve seen Nolan tackle dreams, the Dark Knight, time travel, etc. to varying results, but a movie with Holland and Damon in a cool helicopter? C’mon, that sounds amazing!
This is exactly the sort of project I’m glad Nolan, who is a brand unto himself, is making. I couldn’t care less about biopics (sorry, not sorry). Give me an original action movie with a big budget and A-list cast. There’s a lot of talk about Holland being sort of typecast as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, but I think he’s an underrated talent, and working with Nolan will give him a chance to flex those acting muscles that audiences seemingly don’t think he possesses.
So, that’s sort of the end of my ramble. The other rumor is that Nolan’s next movie will be a period-piece vampire story. If that’s true, again, take my money because that sounds awesome! A Nolan-directed horror movie? Sign me up!
Need further proof that either rumor would make a good movie? Check out X user @MMattTenet‘s fan posters for both rumors:
No matter what, you’ll see me at the theater on July 17, 2026, watching Nolan’s next movie.
Does the rumored story for Nolan’s next movie interest you? Are you a fan of Blue Thunder?
