“A thousand percent, Cillian Murphy was on that list”: Christopher Nolan is Not the Only Director Who Wanted Cillian Murphy as Oppenheimer

Cillian Murphy previously proved to be the best actor of his generation, following his iconic performances in Peaky Blinders, Batman Begins, Dunkirk, and more. However, after gaining a reputation from his previous work of art, the Irish actor nailed his appearance in Christopher Nolan’s recent hit, Oppenheimer. 

While the 2023 epic biographical film from Christopher Nolan starred Cillian Murphy as the lead actor, it wasn’t the first time the 47-year-old was chosen to portray Oppenheimer. Back in 2014, WGN America released a drama series titled Manhattan, that almost cast Murphy as the infamous physicist. 

Also read: “I generally won’t do the part”: Cillian Murphy’s Extreme Hatred for Wigs Resonated With Christopher Nolan That Affected Oppenheimer Filming After Director’s ‘Zero CGI’ Policy

Cillian Murphy Almost Played Oppenheimer In 2014 

So far, Cillian Murphy has helmed a successful career and has earned a reputation through his appearance in Peaky Blinders and a few of Christopher Nolan’s movies. However, recently the actor was given the opportunity by the acclaimed filmmaker to play the lead role of the infamous physicist in his summer blockbuster, Oppenheimer. 

While Cillian Murphy delivered a splendid performance in the 2023 epic biography, he was previously mulled for the same role by different directors. Although the Irish actor signed for his career-changing role with Universal and Nolan, he was previously eyed to play the role of J. Robert Oppenheimer in 2014. 

The 47-year-old actor was considered a perfect fit to portray the nuclear physicist in the WGN America-released series, Manhattan, almost a decade before Nolan signed him. Although the show mainly focused on Frank Winter, an exceptional physics professor recruited to be a part of the Manhattan Project, the show creators still eyed Murphy to play the role of the father of the atomic bomb, in the first season. 

Also read: “We’d still be shooting it”: Christopher Nolan Can’t Direct Avengers Movie, Says Robert Downey Jr

Cillian Murphy Was A Notable Choice For Manhattan 

Before Christopher Nolan laid his hands upon the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, WGN America created a show on the Manhattan Project in 2014, titled Manhattan. The show focused on the nation’s best-kept secret; the atomic bomb research facility in Los Alamos, which devised a deadly weapon that ended World War II. 

While the TV series was appreciated by critics and cherished by viewers, Manhattan almost starred Cillian Murphy as Oppenheimer. Show writer Lila Byock, mentioned during an interview with Vanity Fair, “When we were casting Oppenheimer, we went through a whole series of different ideas.” 

“We wanted Oppenheimer to feel both like he possessed a certain undeniable charisma, a presence onstage, but also that he was playing a different instrument. He needed to feel alien, or other, in some ways. A thousand percent, Cillian Murphy was on that list,” show creator Sam Shaw revealed. 

However, eventually, despite Cillian Murphy being on the list of chosen few actors who were eyed for the role of J. Robert Oppenheimer, he was replaced by Daniel London. Further, the 2014 TV series which was planned to be a six-season show, was canceled after the second season, before the creators could dive into the nuclear blast in Japan and showcase the Cold War conflict fallout. 

Watch Manhattan (2014) on Amazon Video. 

Read more: “I don’t know whether I should admit this”: Christopher Nolan Makes a Jaw-Dropping Confession About Cillian Murphy Led ‘Oppenheimer’ While It Smashes Box Office Records

Source: Vanity Fair