Lupita Nyong’o Has Officially Joined the Cast of Christopher Nolan’s Next Film Alongside Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway and Matt Damon

Lupita Nyong’o is the newest big name to join Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated but secretive film project. Nyong’o, who starred in this past summer’s alien invasion thriller A Quiet Place: Day One, joins a star-studded cast that includes Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, and Zendaya.

Nolan wrote and is directing the film, set to be released by Universal Pictures on July 17, 2026. Known for keeping plot details under wraps, this film is no exception. Rumors suggest it could be anything from a period vampire thriller to a helicopter action movie, but sources say no one really knows what Nolan has planned.

Nolan will produce the film with his wife and longtime collaborator, Emma Thomas, under their company, Syncopy, and filming is expected to start in the first half of 2025.

The project brings Nolan back to Universal, who helped him achieve Oscars success with Oppenheimer. That movie, which earned him Best Director and Best Picture, made nearly $1 billion worldwide.

Nyong’o is new to Nolan’s set of frequent collaborators but has worked with Universal before. She voiced the lead in The Wild Robot, a successful DreamWorks Animation adaptation that’s earned nearly $300 million since September. She also starred in Universal’s horror film Us, directed by Jordan Peele.

An Oscar winner for 12 Years a Slave and known for her roles in Black Panther and Wakanda Forever, Nyong’o also recently launched her podcast, Mind Your Own, exploring belonging from an African viewpoint.

How do you like the cast so far? Let us know in the comments below.