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1 Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult’s ‘Barbenheimer’ Brainstorm: A ‘Great’ Reunion

Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult’s ‘Barbenheimer’ Brainstorm: A ‘Great’ Reunion

Fans of The Great have always marveled at the undeniable chemistry between Nicholas Hoult and Elle Fanning. Whether they’re sparring as the eccentric Peter III of Russia and the determined Catherine the Great, or sharing tender moments of connection amid the chaos, their dynamic has made the show one of the most entertaining historical comedies in recent years. Now, Hoult and Fanning are reuniting, but this time for an interesting spinoff from The Great: their take on the cultural phenomenon “Barbenheimer.”

In a highly anticipated interview with Entertainment Weekly, the duo reminisced about their time on The Great while also getting into a creative debate about what their version of the “Barbenheimer” crossover might look like. Fans of the actors—and the cinematic event that will define 2023—were thrilled to see the pair’s quick wit and playful banter shine through once again.

A Reunion to Remember

Both actors seemed delighted to be back together at the reunion, with Hoult jokingly bowing to Fanning and calling her “Queen” as the cameras rolled. “I can’t help it; it’s muscle memory at this point,” Hoult joked.

Fanning laughed, adding, “I was going to call you a loser, but I’ll hold off—just for today.”

Their banter felt like a continuation of The Great, where Peter and Catherine’s relationship was both volatile and endearing. But as the interview progressed, it became clear that their relationship transcended their personalities.

The Great' stars take us behind the scenes — The Great’ stars take us behind the scenes

The Barbenheimer Craze

When asked about their thoughts on Barbenheimer—the simultaneous release of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer captivated the world—both lit up. Hoult revealed that he has a unique connection to both films.

“I actually auditioned for Ken in Barbie, believe it or not,” Hoult shares with a grin. “I mean, I can’t compete with Ryan Gosling’s abs, but I tried my best. And Oppenheimer—I mean, who wouldn’t be blown away by the talent of Cillian Murphy and Nolan?”

Fanning added, “I love both movies for completely different reasons. Watching Barbie is like stepping into this colorful, vivid dream world, and then Oppenheimer brings me back to reality. The sudden emotional shift is real.”

The interviewer then posed an interesting challenge: If the two of them were to create a Barbenheimer-style crossover piece, what would it look like?

Dreaming Up the Perfect Crossover

Fanning was the first to come up with the idea. “Okay, imagine this: We merge The Great with a super-pink, quirky Barbie-like universe. Catherine becomes this feminist icon in Barbie Land, rallying all the dolls to overthrow their patriarchal overlords. Meanwhile, Peter accidentally invents a doomsday device—like Oppenheimer, but… more like Peter.”

Hoult couldn’t resist jumping in. “Wait, wait! What if the doomsday device was just a giant cannon that shot out macarons? He thought it was going to destroy the world, but it just made everything gooey and delicious.”

As the two continued to chat, their ideas became increasingly absurd—and hilarious. Fanning suggested a musical number in which Catherine, dressed as a pink Barbie, sang about the perils of power. Hoult countered by suggesting that Peter rap about macarons.

“It’s the ultimate clash of tones,” Hoult said, grinning. “We’ll call it Macaronheaven: The Great Barbie Blast.”

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The Barbenheimer Title Debate

Eventually, the conversation turned to the title of their “Barbenheimer” crossover. The duo came up with a few options, each more flamboyant than the last:

The Pink Tsar Bomba
Catherine: Empress of Barbie Land
Peter’s Macaron Mayhem
Oppenbarbie: The Great Explosion

Fanning leaned toward a more poetic name, suggesting Barbie and the Bomb, while Hoult lobbied for the sillier Barbenpetered.

“That sounds like the new TikTok dance craze,” Fanning teased.

“And it will be,” Hoult shot back. “Just wait until I choreograph it.”

Ultimately, they settled on The Great Barbenheimer: Catherine vs. Peter. “It’s dramatic, chaotic, and sums up who we are perfectly,” Fanning says.

Behind the Scenes of The Great

The reunion was also a chance for the cast to reflect on their time on The Great, which ended earlier this year. Hoult admitted that saying goodbye to Peter wasn’t easy.

“I love how funny he is,” Hoult said. “Playing Peter gives me a lot of freedom to be silly, but also to explore this really complex and flawed person. It’s rare to find a character like that.”

Fanning agrees. “Catherine is my dream role. She’s so multifaceted—strong and ambitious, but also vulnerable and human. I learned so much playing her.”

Both actors expressed gratitude to fans for embracing the show’s unique blend of irreverence and historical drama. “The fans have made this journey so special,” Fanning said. “It’s been amazing to see people connect with these characters so much.”

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What’s Next for Hoult and Fanning?

While The Great may be over, both actors have exciting projects in the works. Hoult will star in the upcoming Renfield sequel, where he will reprise his role as Dracula’s beleaguered assistant. Meanwhile, Fanning will headline a popular adaptation of a best-selling novel, although details are still being kept under wraps.

When asked if they would ever work together again, both were emphatic. “Absolutely,” Fanning said. “We’re working on our next project—The Great Barbenheimer. It’s coming out in 2025!”

Hoult added, “And don’t forget to bring the macarons.”

The Legacy of Barbenheimer and The Great

By the time the interview ends, it’s clear that the cultural impact of Barbenheimer and the legacy of The Great have left a lasting impression on Hoult and Fanning. Both phenomena represent the magic of storytelling—whether through completely different films released on the same day or a show that dares to rewrite history with a wink and a nod.

For fans of Hoult and Fanning, their reunion is a reminder of why they fell in love with the duo in the first place. Their chemistry, sense of humor, and shared creativity continue to captivate audiences, whether they’re ruling 18th-century Russia or imagining a world where macarons save the world.

And who knows? With Barbenheimer inspiring endless creativity and The Great proving that period dramas can be anything but boring, perhaps a fictional crossover between Hoult and Fanning isn’t too far-fetched.

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