The summer of 2023 was a boon for cinegoers. They witnessed one of the biggest box-office clashes of the decade with the Cillian Murphy-starrer ‘Oppenheimer’ and Margot Robbie-starrer ‘Barbie.’ The former was based on the story of the first nuclear detonation in the world, carried out by Robert J. Oppenheimer. Christopher Nolan staged the nuclear drama with the intricate details of the event coupled with a stellar performance by Cillian Murphy.
Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy’s association goes way back to when the director cast him in ‘The Dark Knight’ trilogy. Later, he also starred in his other directorial magnum opuses like ‘Inception’ and ‘Dunkirk.’ But ‘Oppenheimer’ was the first film in which Murphy starred as the protagonist. In a recent interview, the ‘Peaky Blinders’ actor wished to star in Nolan’s space drama ‘Interstellar.’
Related: “It’s The Best Script I Ever Read”: Cillian Murphy On Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’
Cillian Murphy Admits That ‘Interstellar’ Broke His Heart’
Recently, The Independent interviewed Cillian Murphy. During the interview, they asked him if there was any Christopher Nolan film in which the actor wished to star. Cillian said he wanted to star in Nolan’s 2014 space travel film ‘Interstellar.’ Murphy said that he desired to star in the film, but he enjoys the film as a fan without the pressure of critiquing his own work.
Cillian Murphy said, “I adore ‘Interstellar’ just because I find it so emotional. I remember seeing it in the cinema when I had little kids. It just had a big impact on me. It broke my heart. I love watching his films when I’m not in them because you don’t have to freak out about the size of your ears, or whatever.”
In Case You Missed: Christopher Nolan Explains How ‘Oppenheimer’ Is Not A Single Movie But Three Stories Put Together
The Actor Always Wanted To Play A Lead Role In The Director’s Film
Cillian Murphy always wished to play the lead in a Christopher Nolan feature. The actor has always played supporting characters in his films, like starring as Scarecrow in ‘Batman Begins.’ However, the recent ‘Oppenheimer’ gave him an opportunity to star as the titular character in the film. In an interview with the Associated Press, Cillian Murphy talked about his wish getting fulfilled in the director’s latest feature.
Cillian Murphy said, “I have always said publicly and privately, to Chris, that if I’m available and you want me to be in a movie, I’m there. I don’t really care about the size of the part. But deep down, secretly, I was desperate to play a lead for him.”
The actor told the outlet how the director approached him for the film. He added, “He’s so understated and self-deprecating and, in his very English manner, just said, ‘Listen, I’ve written this script, it’s about Oppenheimer. I’d like you to be my ‘Oppenheimer.’ “
Cillian Murphy continued, “It was a great day… We have this long-standing understanding and trust and shorthand and respect. It felt like the right time to take on a bigger responsibility. And it just so happened that it was a huge one.”
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