Peaky Blinders: It’s to Cillian Murphy’s Good Luck Steven Knight Was “Stupid enough not to understand” a Fast and Furious Star Was a More Brutal Tommy Shelby

Steven Knight's candid revelation on the casting choices in Peaky Blinders.

cillian murphy in peaky blinders, fast and furious

SUMMARY

  • Cillian Murphy's portrayal of Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders stands as one of the highlights of his career.
  • However, he could have potentially lost the role to the Fast and Furious star Jason Statham.
  • Steven Knight has shared that he initially chose Jason Statham because of his commanding presence.
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Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders stands as one of the highlights of his career, showcasing a character capable of seamlessly transitioning from a sophisticated country gentleman to a ruthless urban thug at the flick of a razor-edged hat.

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Peaky Blinders | Credit: BBC
Peaky Blinders | Credit: BBC

Despite Murphy’s seemingly irreplaceable performance, he could have potentially lost the role to the Fast and Furious star Jason Statham. Knight has shared that Statham was also in talks to star in the historical drama and he even met him for the role.

Peaky Blinders Creator Met Jason Statham For the Role of Tommy Shelby

In a live watch-along by Esquire UK, Steven Knight discussed the casting process for the role of Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders. He revealed that while he initially considered Jason Statham, whom he had worked with on the 2013 film Hummingbird, he ultimately opted for Cillian Murphy.

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Jason Statham | Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Jason Statham | Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The filmmaker shared that he initially chose Jason Statham because of his commanding presence during their meeting, suggesting that he had the potential for a more intense portrayal of the character. However, he still decided to go ahead with the Oppenheimer star.

He changed his decision upon recognizing Murphy’s acting prowess, and his ability to fully embody his character on-screen, contrasting it with his off-screen persona. He shared,

“I was considering Cillian and Jason Statham. I met them both in in Los Angeles to talk about the role and opted for Jason—Jason was Jason and Cillian when you meet him isn’t Tommy, obviously, but I was stupid enough not to understand that.”

Cillian Murphy in a still from Peaky Blinders
Cillian Murphy as Tommy Shelby | Credit: Netflix

He praised Murphy’s transformative talent, highlighting his dedication and skill in maintaining character throughout filming. Knight emphasized Murphy’s extraordinary ability to completely inhabit a role, highlighting his exceptional talent and dedication as an actor.

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Steven Knight Recalled Cillian Murphy’s Text After their Meeting

Cillian Murphy has shared that he was not sure about landing the role in Peaky Blinders following his meeting with Steven Knight. To reassure the filmmaker of his abilities, Murphy sent a text stating, “Remember, I am an actor.” The Locke director recalled receiving the text from Murphy after his meeting.

“He came and we talked there’s a few of us—Shortly after he sent her a text saying, ‘Remember, I’m an actor,'” he shared. And Steven Knight shared that he genuinely believed in Murphy’s assertion as he can truly transform himself into his characters.

Peaky Blinders | Creditt: IMDb
Peaky Blinders | Credit: IMDb

He noted that Murphy’s transformation goes beyond simply flicking a switch, as it requires immense dedication and talent. “What he can do is extraordinary, with himself with his whole presence,” he said before adding “[It’s] not like the flick of a button.”

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The Oscar-winning actor portrayed the character throughout the six-season run of the series and has received immense love and praise for his performance. And he is now expected to reprise his role in the upcoming Peaky Blinders movie, which Knight suggested could start filming soon.

Peaky Blinders is available to stream on Netflix.

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Written by Laxmi Rajput

Articles Published: 2202

Laxmi Rajput is a writer at Fandomwire. She finished her Post Graduation in Broadcast Journalism and worked as a Business News writer for a year. But her interest in entertainment and pop culture compelled her to find a way towards Entertainment Journalism. She has worked across various fields and has 2 years of experience in content writing. She likes reading, music, movies, and traveling. She aspires to become a fiction writer in the future.