Josh Hartnett turned out to be an unexpected surprise in Oppenheimer.

Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer has given us some iconic performances from a wide range of stars. While Robert Downey Jr. and Cillian Murphy, there was another star who wasn’t talked about much after the release of the movie- Josh Hartnett. Although a long time has passed after the movie’s release, Hartnett’s performance as Ernest Lawrence still resides fresh in everyone’s mind.

Josh Hartnett in Oppenheimer

Josh Hartnett has been a part of several box office hits and critically acclaimed movies like Pearl Harbor, Lucky Number Slevin, and Black Hawk Down. However, he couldn’t retain his stardom much like the other stars. Oppenheimer helped the star deliver one of his career’s most nuanced performances as Ernest Lawrence and remind the audience of his acting skills.

Josh Hartnett stole the show in several scenes of Oppenheimer 

Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer

Ernest Lawrence was one of the most important personalities in the early career of J. Robert Oppenheimer. Josh Hartnett knew his job very well and stole the show in any of the scenes he was a part of. Despite sharing the screen with an acting powerhouse like Cillian Murphy, the 40 Days and 40 Nights actor didn’t hesitate to deliver outstanding acting skills.

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Although Ernest Lawrence was largely absent from the second half of the movie where Oppenheimer’s legal battle for the security clearance was shown, he stole the show in the first half.

He was a major character at the Berkeley University segment where Oppenheimer carried out some of the most important research that proved vital for the Manhattan Project. Josh Hartnett delivered such a performance in those sequences that the audiences couldn’t focus on anything else but him.

Unlike idols like Neils Bohr or Albert Einstein who were idols in Oppenheimer’s life, Ernest Lawrence was more of a friend to him. He was an influential figure and had a great impact on his life. Hartnett’s subtle acting and intellectual aura made him look perfect in the role. His part reminded the viewers of a character who had a more balanced life than Cillian Murphy‘s character.

The ardent fans can’t stop praising Josh Hartnett

Josh Hartnett in Pearl Harbor

Many years before Oppenheimer, Josh Hartnett was also approached for Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy. The 2023 movie also presented a full-circle moment for the Wrath of Man actor who also appeared in 2001’s WWII flick Pearl Harbor as Danny Walker. His performance alongside Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. in another WWII drama couldn’t stop the fans from praising him.

Even though it can’t be said that he was praised enough for his performance, Josh Hartnett’s performance didn’t escape the attention of ardent movie fans. A series of tweets on the internet show how the fans couldn’t get over him.

It can’t be denied that Josh Hartnett is one of the most underrated stars and can pull off some amazing characters. Presently, there are no updates about any of his upcoming projects. It will be interesting to see if the actor bags any role soon, following the success of Oppenheimer.