“These things are very instinctive”: Christopher Nolan Reveals Intriguing Story How He Discovered Cillian Murphy

Christopher Nolan's instinctive eye unveils the captivating tale of discovering Cillian Murphy's talent for cinematic brilliance.

"These things are very instinctive": Christopher Nolan Reveals Intriguing Story How He Discovered Cillian Murphy

SUMMARY

  • Christopher Nolan discovered Murphy's talent through a photo from 28 Days Later, impressed by his striking presence and piercing eyes.
  • Murphy's screen test for Batman surprised Nolan's crew, leading to his significant roles in Nolan's films.
  • Oppenheimer showcases Cillian Murphy's stellar performance under Christopher Nolan's direction, elevating the film's narrative and character depth.
Show More
Featured Video

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.

Advertisement
John David Washington and Christopher Nolan on the sets of Tenet
Christopher Nolan on the sets of Tenet

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.

Advertisement

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.

Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy on the sets of Oppenheimer

Further, Murphy asked. “Did you see the movie then?”

Advertisement

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,

Advertisement

“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

Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer
Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer

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.

Advertisement

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.

Avatar

Written by Muskan Chaudhary

Articles Published: 694

Muskan Chaudhary, Junior Content Writer at Fandom wire. Having completed her degree in Commerce, she has written over 500 articles spanning FandomWire and Animated Times in the pop culture. She is dedicated to bring the latest and informative content from the entertainment world, thus expanding her knowledge in the field. Apart from her contributions to FandamWire, she has a keen interest in video games, sketching and playing tennis.