Christopher Nolan, the renowned filmmaker known for his blockbuster films, has once again demonstrated his bankable force in Hollywood's elite circle of influential directors with the success of his latest film, Oppenheimer. Ahead of the upcoming Academy Awards, where Oppenheimer is expected to win several awards, Nolan has positioned himself as the biggest star in Hollywood.

Forbes recently reported on Nolan's immense success in the past year, highlighting his ability to secure a lucrative deal with Universal Studios for Oppenheimer. In order to protect the film's budget, Nolan chose to forego an upfront fee and instead opted for a 15% share of the first-dollar gross. This agreement gives him a portion of the film's revenue from the outset, even before the studio recovers its costs.

It is estimated that Nolan's income from Oppenheimer's box office success, home video sales, and initial streaming rights will amount to around $72 million before taxes. With potential future streaming deals, licensing agreements, and theatrical re-releases, this figure is expected to increase significantly.

Nolan's decision to partner with Universal came after his split with long-term partner Warner Bros., following their announcement of a day-and-date plan to release all theatrical films directly on streaming platforms. Seeking new terms, Nolan had specific conditions for a studio to assist in producing Oppenheimer. These included a $100 million budget for production, an additional $100 million for marketing efforts, complete creative autonomy, an extended run in theaters, a 'no-compete' agreement for simultaneous releases, and a 20% share of the first-dollar gross.

Matt Craig's Forbes feature shed light on Nolan's star power, highlighting how his meticulous planning and ability to entertain audiences have made him a bankable brand and a formidable force in Hollywood. Since 2002, every studio movie he has produced has grossed over $100 million at the box office, with six out of his last seven surpassing $500 million. Even Tenet, which faced challenges due to the pandemic, grossed $350 million.

In Hollywood, securing gross points is a mark of influence, a status achieved by only a few like Tom Cruise and James Cameron. Nolan's ability to negotiate such a deal identifies him as a force to be reckoned with in the film industry.

Additionally, Nolan's staunch support for the theatrical experience and skepticism towards streaming platforms further solidifies his status as a Hollywood deity. He urged audiences to watch Oppenheimer in IMAX 70mm, resulting in the film becoming the fourth-highest-grossing IMAX movie of all time, accounting for nearly 20% of the total box office haul.

Nolan's unwavering commitment to the cinema experience was evident even after the film's release on Peacock, Universal's streaming platform. He encouraged fans to buy physical copies of the film to prevent streaming services from "stealing" it. Universal reported selling out of 4K Blu-rays in less than a week.

As the industry eagerly awaits Nolan's next move, it is clear that he will chart his own course, as his unparalleled success and artistic vision grant him the freedom to do so. Christopher Nolan, with Oppenheimer's triumph, cements his status as Hollywood's biggest star.