Lupita Nyong’o has officially boarded the star-studded cast of Christopher Nolan's latest (and untitled) film project.

Fresh off her lead role in ‘A Quiet Place: Day One,’ Nyong'o now joins an already impressive roster of talent, including Matt Damon, Zendaya, Tom Holland, and Anne Hathaway. The details of Nolan's mysterious new film remain tightly under wraps, as is typical for the acclaimed director.

Universal Pictures, who is set to distribute the film, has slated a release date for July 17, 2026.

Speculation about the film’s plot has sparked wild theories, ranging from a period vampire thriller to a high-octane helicopter action movie. However, insiders are quick to dismiss these guesses, saying that no one has come close to cracking the code on Nolan’s real vision.

Universal has declined to comment about the films’ synopsis.

Nolan will produce the movie alongside his longtime collaborator and wife, Emma Thomas, under their Syncopy banner. Filming is expected to kick off in early 2025, marking another high-profile collaboration between Nolan and Universal. Their last project together, the critically-acclaimed ‘Oppenheimer,’ garnered Nolan his first Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture, and grossed an impressive $976 million globally as an R-rated, 3-hour biopic.

Though Nolan has a core group of actors he often works with, Lupita Nyong’o is a new addition to his cinematic world. However, she’s no stranger to Universal. Nyong’o voiced the lead character in ‘The Wild Robot,’ a successful adaptation by DreamWorks Animation, which has grossed nearly $300 million since its release in September. She also wowed audiences in Universal’s hit horror movie ‘Us,’ directed by Jordan Peele.

Most notably, Nyong’o earned an Academy Award for her break-through role in ‘12 Years a Slave,’ and later captivated audiences again in ‘Black Panther’ (and its sequel ‘Wakanda Forever’).

The acclaimed actress recently launched Mind Your Own, a podcast that explores belonging and identity through an African lens.

Nolan next project is already generating major buzz, making this upcoming film the most anticipated release of 2026.

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