Cillian Murphy About
Cillian Murphy has established himself as one of our most varied actors over the course of over 30 years, all the while deftly avoiding detection. Now that she’s a front-runner for the Oscar, Oppenheimer opens up (a little).
Christopher Nolan knew just where to go for Cillian Murphy in the fall of 2021. With a document in his carry-on—Hollywood’s version of the nuclear football—the filmmaker took a plane to Ireland. It appeared to be a script for his upcoming, top-secret movie, printed on red paper. Murphy clarified, “which is supposedly photocopy-proof.”
The face-to-face visit didn’t surprise him. The two had collaborated on five earlier movies, and Murphy said that Nolan or a member of his family had approved every script that Nolan wrote. “So, like, I’ve received the screenplay from his mother before. Alternatively, his brother, who leaves and returns in three hours. A portion of it involves holding the narrative under wraps before it is released. However, tradition has a role in it as well. This is how they’ve always done it, so why change now? It does give it a ritual element, which I find quite useful. It works for me.
When Murphy arrived at Nolan’s hotel room in Dublin, Nolan left him to read. He read for hours on end. The entire 197-page script—the rarest kind—was written in J. Robert Oppenheimer’s first person and is the protagonist of the movie. This character—a big-headed, psychologically complicated titan of world history—is the center of all action and incident.
Despite never having starred in a lead part in a film directed by Christopher Nolan previously, Murphy accepted this role as soon as Nolan told him about it and before he had ever seen a page of the script. “I’d already received a call from him saying he wanted me to play the role. I had replied in the affirmative since I never say no to him. The afternoon was over. Murphy added, “And he doesn’t have a phone or anything.” However, he had an innate sense of when to return. As always, Nolan is in control of time. After spending the remainder of the evening together, Murphy rode the DART train back to his house and went to work.
The outcome was a nearly billion-dollar blockbuster about a tortured genius (yep, the creator of the atomic bomb) that became one of the most acclaimed and viewed movies of 2023. For many, the performance confirmed what has been known in private for some time: Cillian Murphy is, or at least was, one of Hollywood’s most underappreciated actors. in those other Nolan films, in modest but impactful roles. Over the past thirty years, she has acted as a shape-shifting bit actor and lead in several plays and movies. Of course, he appeared in Peaky Blinders for ten years and six seasons—the popular show that helped establish his international fame. Christopher Nolan remarked, “I made what was probably a mistake in some moment of drunkenness some years ago.”
I traveled the DART from Dublin City Center to Monkstown one evening this winter for supper with Murphy, which was located along the seacoast. We met in a restaurant where he said, “It’s unbelievable, but I have a regular table.” A declaration that exuded bright pride because it made it clear that he didn’t have a typical table anywhere else. For a large portion of the evening, he stayed there with ease, bouncing and leaning forward.
Cillian Murphy resides near the sea with their two teenage sons, together with artist Yvonne McGuinness, his wife of twenty years. Ireland is surrounded by the riches of their creative existence. It appears that his family members’ artwork is displayed in every art gallery. Either Murphy or his friends choose the music that plays on the radio. He sometimes goes out for drinks with his older Irish actor heroes, Stephen Rea and Brendan Gleeson.
Cillian Murphy’s life is packed with life here. His lads are almost at the speed of departure. Exams are given. tasks. Runs. He was taking his youngest with him, and they were flying out early to see a soccer match in Liverpool. Murphy remarked, “I would’ve taken you somewhere else for some Guinness, but I have to drive tonight to drop my boy off at a party.” The bubbles that usually envelop the prominent guys in the film business felt a long way from the brand of bustle that everybody felt.
While some of my friends are performers, most of them are not, Murphy remarked. I also enjoy being unemployed. As an actor, I believe that living a normal life, going about my daily business, and being able to see and be a part of the beautiful flow of mankind constitutes a great deal of research. If you’re unable to accomplish that due to your commitments to movie sets, festivals, and marketing, thenThat’s The Bubble, after all. It’s just a world that I couldn’t live in, and I’m not suggesting it makes you a worse or better actor. It would seem pretty restrictive to me.
I spent the month following our time together unable to get over the feeling that Cillian Murphy, at least on one weekend this winter, seemed to have something so profoundly figured out. This was because he was living so much the kind of life that so many other actors—so many artists, so many people—claim to want to live. Highest demand, but far from it all. Putting on performances deserving of an Oscar nomination and appearing utterly satisfied to vanish at any time, without question.
As an artist, the grounding factors at home appeared to serve as a launching pad from which to explore. Emily Blunt remarked, “He has this rare combination of humility with this supercharge of creativity.” He’s just a really sweet, sensible guy. He is incredibly sane. Nevertheless, he has such a wild side to the roles he can portray.
He will be the first of his pals to experience an empty nest because he was the first to have children. More time to watch films. Perhaps. More time to listen to music. (Undoubtedly.) More time to run at night, when the streaking lights give him the impression that he is moving more quickly. More time to sleep: “I get a lot of sleep. I slept for ten hours every day. He didn’t seem to feel the need to fit in, whether it was with regard to fashion, fame, free dinners, or the exciting offerings of a scene. It’s true that many performers grow over this urge, but he’s still young. 47. Entering his peak at the height of his abilities. Remaining in the field and merely drifting about until summoned, which which he is and will continue to be more frequently than before.
He attempts to work on one film a year, ideally not during the summer, when he prefers to spend much of his time walking his black lab, Scout, or selecting new music for his BBC 6 radio show. He is content to be “unemployed” while he bides his time for the ideal new movie to come along. “There might have been an instance where I was engaged in another activity when Chris called me,” he stated.
“Make movies. Not an excessive number. With Christopher Nolan, mostly. Imagine having the self-control, self-assurance, and peace of mind to stroll along emerald shores as the days stretch out till 10 at night, knowing that they know you—and that in the end, they know where to find you—instead of worrying about missing an opportunity, a lunch, a party, or a fork in the road back in one of the frothier Hollywood hubs.
In the peaceful town of Monkstown, he sat at his table, exuding an aura of presence. His gaze clear, his skin imbued with a touch more moisture than the locals. During dinner, he made a solitary request: to omit a nuanced perspective he had shared about a local establishment from the piece. In small towns, unwelcome opinions are perilous. Yet, therein lies the essence of truly living, embodying the dream.
Nolan first encountered Murphy in 2003 through a promotional image for “28 Days Later” in the San Francisco Chronicle. Struck by his captivating eyes and appearance, Nolan felt compelled to delve deeper. Although Murphy didn’t initially strike him as a fit for Batman, there was an undeniable connection—a vibe that begged collaboration. Thus, Nolan decided to test him on camera. As Murphy embodied Bruce Wayne, an electric energy emanated, captivating the crew like never before. Impressed, Nolan cast him as Scarecrow, defying conventions of casting only established stars for Batman villains.
“Batman Begins” marked the beginning of Murphy’s journey in Nolan’s films, followed by roles in “Inception” and “Dunkirk.” Initially driven by pure instinct, Murphy’s evolution into a technically proficient actor didn’t diminish his innate talent but complemented it.
For “Oppenheimer,” Cillian Murphy meticulously prepared for six months, honing the voice and physique to portray the renowned physicist. On set, his dedication and talent became a whispered legend, reminiscent of Heath Ledger’s impact on “The Dark Knight.”
Blunt, who portrayed Oppenheimer’s wife, Kitty, formed a close bond with Cillian Murphy during “A Quiet Place Part II.” She described him as captivating to act alongside, drawing others into his intense focus during work. Despite his love for gatherings, Murphy remained deeply engrossed in his craft, sparing little energy for socializing, especially during the demanding shoot for “Oppenheimer.”
Matt Damon recounted evenings at a quaint café during filming in New Mexico, where Murphy was invited but never attended, consumed by his commitment to the role.
Murphy found himself back in his room, conserving his energy for the coming day, while keeping a watchful eye on the Oppenheimer silhouette.
“Damon mentioned he’s shedding weight, unable to dine at night, clearly in discomfort,” he shared. “Yet, we all understand he’s striving for the best for the movie we all aspire to excel, so we’re rooting for him. But during dinner, we can’t help but shake our heads, realizing how tough it is.”
“His only indulgence was a nightly bath. Just a few almonds perhaps, and then he’d immerse himself in his script, working diligently. Alone, every single night.”
The magnitude of his performance is immense, yet much of it remains unseen by the audience, embedded in the focused intensity of his portrayal—the core around which numerous elements subtly converge to deepen our connection with his character. Consider this: While the setting demands a period accuracy where everyone should be smoking and donning hats, Murphy stands alone in adhering to these details. Kai Bird, co-author of the monumental biography of Oppenheimer, American Prometheus, upon which the film is based, spent a day on set at Los Alamos witnessing Murphy embody the scene where Oppenheimer addresses his team of scientists amidst the clinks of marbles into a fishbowl and the scent of brandy. “I had to approach him during a break,” Bird recalled, “clad in his loose brown suit and turquoise belt, and exclaimed, He truly captured the essence and intensity of Oppie.” (During our conversation, Bird even inquired, “Those are his blue eyes, correct? Or is he wearing lenses?”)
The film premiered over Barbenheimer weekend, coinciding with the onset of the SAG-AFTRA strike. Despite enjoying lighter moments with Blunt, Damon, and the cast, Murphy was relieved when the promotional activities for the film were cut short. “The whole process feels antiquated and tiresome,” he remarked regarding red-carpet interviews and junkets. “It’s a broken model. Everyone seems so bored.” He pointed out the cessation of such activities during the strike, underscoring the film’s success without them. “Peaky Blinders experienced a similar phenomenon. No advertising for the first three seasons; it just gained momentum through word of mouth.”
Murphy’s reluctance in many interviews is evident. he shared. While he doesn’t come off as gruff, his inability to feign enthusiasm is simply a reaction to being repeatedly asked the same questions. He’s intrigued by the prospect of enduring his first Oscar campaign, where discussing his performance ad nauseam is the norm for several months.
“People used to label me as ‘reserved’ or ‘difficult to interview,'” Murphy noted. “But it’s not true! I love discussing work, discussing art. What I find challenging and unnecessary is the constant probing into my personal life.”
However, he did share some personal history. Growing up in Cork, attending a Catholic school more suited for athletes than artistic souls, he found solace in music, playing in a band with his brother. University life didn’t suit him either, leading him to stumble into the world of theater in Cork, where he landed his first role in Enda Walsh’s Disco Pigs, . Reflecting on those pivotal moments in 1996, he remarked, “I didn’t realize then the significance of those events—the domino effect they would have on my life.”
When asked if such occurrences made him ponder the existence of a higher power, he expressed his fondness for chaos and randomness. A stroll through Dublin brought back memories of his humble beginnings, frequenting a bookstore on a tight budget, devouring plays to compensate for not attending drama school.
Director Danny Boyle emphasized Murphy’s theatrical roots as pivotal to his craft. Despite being known for his film work, Murphy’s ability to traverse extreme character arcs stems from his theater background. Boyle also attributes Murphy’s talent to his Irish roots, describing him as one of the great exports nurtured by his homeland.
In the early 2000s, Murphy’s career gained momentum with roles in various films, though he admits to not having seen many of them. However, his performance in Ken Loach’s The Wind That Shakes the Barley stands out as a source of pride. A period epic set amidst the Irish War of Independence and Civil War, it showcased Murphy’s versatility across different eras. Reflecting on his career, Murphy acknowledges the dichotomy of roles like those in Red Eye, recognizing the appeal of playing both the nice guy and the villain.
Cillian Murphy and his crew have been exploring various narratives lately. In “Anthropoid” (2016), he played a Czechoslovak resistance fighter in Nazi-occupied Prague. Then, in “Free Fire” (2016), he portrayed an IRA member caught in a disastrous arms deal. In “Dunkirk” (2017), he embodied a British soldier grappling with PTSD. And, of course, in “Peaky Blinders” (2013–2022), he was a World War I hero turned 1920s Birmingham gangster. With his versatile face, he can embody every facet of the conflicts of pre- and postwar Europe.
His first appearance in “Anthropoid” is striking, with a moonbeam highlighting his cheekbone like polished alabaster, prompting the question: Are you with the Nazis or the resistance? Are you good or bad—or perhaps both, embodying that duality, the stable and the wild, the conflicting forces within.
During a stroll through bustling Dublin streets, amidst winter sunshine and noisy seagulls, fans approached us frequently, alongside friends’ relatives.
“I’m not a stalker…” one fan began, politely.
“Oh, hi, Oona!”
Reflecting on whether his life changed since starring in one of the biggest films ever, Cillian Murphy for a while, and people move on. So, it goes.”
Despite the widespread popularity of “Peaky Blinders,” the recent film seems to have garnered even broader recognition.
As if on cue, a fan approached Murphy for a photo.
“Oh, I don’t do photos,” he gently declined, disappointing the lad who nonetheless got a brief chat with Murphy.
“Once I stopped doing photos, it changed things for me. I prefer to say hello and have a conversation. I tell my actor friends, and they feel bad, but do you really need a photo record of everywhere you’ve been in a day?”
“There’s an enigmatic charm about Cillian,” remarked Blunt. “For someone as private as he is, this level of fame must be overwhelming. If anyone isn’t made for fame, it’s Cillian.”
To make amends with the disappointed fan, I asked about the potential of a “Peaky Blinders” film. “There’s no update for now,” Murphy replied. “But if there’s more story, I’m open to it. I love how the series ended, with its ambiguity. I’m proud of what we achieved. But a good script could change things.”
Passing by some disheveled party-goers, Cillian Murphy reminisced about his own partying days in Dublin and London. “I had my moments, but always with friends. I never really belonged to any scene or attended premieres…”
As we passed Trinity College, we discussed the success of Irish series like “Normal People” and its star Paul Mescal. “He’s the real deal,” Murphy praised. “Irish talent seems to be on the rise.”
Visiting the Kerlin Gallery to see his sister-in-law’s show, Murphy admired the thought-provoking pieces, drawn to works that explore profound themes rather than mere entertainment.
Murphy’s venture into production includes “Small Things Like These,” adapted from Claire Keegan’s novel, and the upcoming film “Steve,” based on Max Porter’s book. One film a year, maintaining control, keeping a steady hand on the wheel.
Murphy’s analog lifestyle, shared with Nolan, eschews modern technology.
Regarding Nolan’s next project, Murphy remained in the dark. “I didn’t even know he was writing ‘Oppenheimer.’ We don’t stay in touch like that.”
Nolan wanted to challenge Cillian Murphy r trajectory, Cillian Murphy maintained a humble perspective, emphasizing continuous growth rather than any grand plan.
In Dublin’s Hugh Lane Gallery, we reflected on Bacon’s studio, a preserved chaos that bred artistic inspiration. Murphy’s approach to his craft mirrored this—steady, patient, authentic. Despite his impending Oscar win, Cillian Murphy remained grounded, focusing on the present moment rather than dwelling on the past or future.
Cillian Murphy shared Brian Eno’s theory of artists as either farmers or cowboys, identifying as the latter—a constant innovator. He acknowledged the risk of actors being defined by their public persona rather than their work.
As we sat watching Bacon’s interview, Cillian Murphy pondered the artist’s words: “The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery.” This sentiment resonated with Murphy’s approach to his craft—provoking thought and challenging expectations.Deepening the mystery indeed.
CREDITS:
Captured by Gregory Harris
Styled with finesse by George Cortina
Hair magic by Teddy Charles at Nevermind Agency
Glowing skin courtesy of Holly Silius using Lyma & YSL Beauty
Imaginative set crafted by Colin Donahue for Owl and the Elephant Agency
Project orchestrated by the talented Paul Preiss at Preiss Creative
FASHION HIGHLIGHTS:
Starting strong with a sleek Jacket from Hermès
Topped with a stylish Shirt by Dries Van Noten
Pants and belt from the iconic Kincaid Archive Malibu
Step with confidence in Boots by Manolo Blahnik
Adorned with stunning accessories:
Atra Nova by Sheila B necklace (top)
Platt Boutique Jewelry necklaces (second and third from top)
Platt Boutique Jewelry bracelets (on right wrist, top and bottom)
Personal necklace (bottom) and ring (on ring finger)
FD Gallery watch (on left wrist, middle) and bracelets
Belperron bracelet (on left wrist, top)
TenThousandThings ring (on left pinkie)
Graff rings (on right pinkie)