As Cillian Murphy’s Oppenheimer won the fans’ hearts, it’s interesting to know how Christopher Nolan crossed paths with Cillian Murphy. The famous filmmaker is known not just for his awesome stories but also for picking great actors. One name that stuck with him is Cillian Murphy. The 53-year-old recently spilled the beans on how he found the actor.
It all started when Nolan saw a picture of Murphy in a movie called 28 Days Later by Danny Boyle. What caught Nolan’s eye wasn’t just Murphy’s acting skills; it was his bright blue eyes.
Christopher Nolan Shares The Fascinating Tale Of Finding Cillian Murphy’s Talent
In a recent chat with Deadline, Christopher Nolan spilled the beans on how he first came across the 47-year-old talent. It all went down when Nolan was holed up in a hotel in the Bay Area, hammering away at the script for Batman Begins.
He was also on the hunt for the perfect actor to play the Dark Knight. Nolan wasn’t exactly sure who would don the cape and cowl yet. He was just sifting through options.
Then, he stumbled upon a photo from Danny Boyle’s zombie flick, 28 Days Later. Even though Cillian Murphy was drenched in gore, his piercing blue eyes popped out, standing out against the grim backdrop of the apocalypse. Nolan couldn’t help but take notice.
Further, Murphy asked. “Did you see the movie then?”
Nolan replied, “No.” He said,
“I literally just saw a picture. I then watched the movie, but the truth is, I already was interested. These things are very instinctive, and that’s the relationship that an audience has with an actor as well. It’s an instinctive and instant connection. So, yeah, love at first sight. I see the picture and I’m like, Man, that guy’s got something.”
Nolan wasted no time and flew Murphy out to LA for a face-to-face. They hit it off, and suddenly Murphy found himself in the running for Batman. However, Nolan chuckled and revealed,
“But I think at the time you were quite a bit… more slight than you are now. You walked in, and I remember thinking, ‘Are you really going to be able to be Batman?”
Curious to see Murphy’s chops, Nolan shot a screen test of him in some Bruce Wayne scenes. The crew was blown away. Nolan reminisced,
“I just remember a sort of ripple of excitement going through the crew. They’ve seen a lot of stuff, so you don’t often get that kind of thing where you feel everyone is paying attention.”
This chance meeting sparked Murphy’s journey into Nolan’s cinematic universe, where he’s left his mark in memorable roles across several hit films. And now, with their collaboration on Oppenheimer, Murphy’s stellar performance is once again in the spotlight.
In Oppenheimer, Cillian Murphy Delivered His Finest Performance Yet
Murphy really steps up his game in Christopher Nolan’s flick, Oppenheimer. Nolan, known for his mind-bending movies like Memento and Interstellar, pulls out all the stops in this one.
He tells the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, played by Murphy, in a way that keeps you guessing, jumping between different times and perspectives. The movie dives into Oppenheimer’s past, exploring his role in creating the atomic bomb and his personal struggles with politics and relationships.
Meanwhile, we also get a glimpse into the life of Lewis Strauss, played by Robert Downey Jr., who’s trying to nab a big nomination. These parallel storylines add depth and drama, showing us Oppenheimer from all angles.
Murphy’s performance is top-notch, reminding us why he’s such a versatile actor. As the film unfolds, you can’t help but be drawn in by his portrayal, making Oppenheimer a must-see for movie buffs everywhere.