For Peaky Blinders fans, the memes of Cillian Murphy bored in interviews are consistent with the persona that will always be associated with the actor: Thomas Shelby. For more recent audiences, his performance as J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan‘s film is a stupendous performance that will define his career. The fact is: do you need actors who say everything with a simple look? Call Cillian.

Cillian Murphy has been a working actor for almost over 20 years, and almost immediately a star. Fans of director Danny Boyle remember that Cillian was the star of 28 Days, a praised film that opened the doors to the United States for the young actor, then just 26 years old. But fame – which he never sought – didn’t come easily.

Born in Ireland, where he now lives again, Cillian always wanted to work as an actor (his rock band didn’t convince him to pursue being a musician) and theater was an immediate passion, so strong that when he had to choose, he left law school to back.

In just three years since his film debut, Cillian has worked with some of the best actors and directors, appearing in Cold Mountain, The Girl with the Pearl Earring, and Batman Begins, but it was in ‘smaller’ films that he stood out most, such as Breakfast in Pluto, for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor (playing a trans woman).

On the British stage, he starred in classics and modern plays, earning the respect of critics and peers. It was only in 2013 that his life would change when he started starring in Peaky Blinders and gained global stardom. Averse to adulation and fame, his performance was ignored at the American awards, but at least he received BAFTA nominations.

The partnership with Christopher Nolan

Anyone who follows the career of director Christopher Nolan knows that more than Michael Caine, his lucky charm is Cillian Murphy. It all started in 2005, when the actor auditioned to play Bruce Wayne, being one of the finalists, but losing the role to Christian Bale. Nolan had been impressed with him, and, as an option, offered the small role of one of the antagonists, Jonathan Crane (the Scarecrow), which Cillian gladly accepted. The friendship only grew stronger and he made brief appearances in the following films.

In Inception, in 2010, he gained a slightly bigger role (although it was a film for Leonardo DiCaprio) and also appeared in important roles in Dunkirk, in 2017, as well. As soon as he started working on Oppenheimer, Nolan had Cillian in mind for the lead role. It is their sixth film together and their mutual recognition for their work on the film has been one of the highlights of the speeches at all the awards, anticipating that it will be repeated at the Oscars.

Oppenheimer: a role that would always belong to Cillian Murphy

There is a great irony in the fact that although he has been adored for years, it is only now that Cillian Murphy has achieved star status. It can equally be argued that his connection with the character was part of his destiny.

In 2014 he was almost cast as a scientist in the series Manhattan Project, which only had two seasons although it was excellent (worth checking out!). Showrunner Sam Shaw commented that the role of Oppenheimer (which is not the main one in the series) almost went to Cillian before ending up with actor Daniel London. But luckily Cillian didn’t do the series because he probably wouldn’t agree to repeat it soon after.

Oppenheimer demanded arduous preparation from Cillian and the actor accepted the challenge before reading any line of the script. There wouldn’t be a better actor who can convey so many emotions with just his look like Cillian does, today it’s almost his signature. The Oscar is almost guaranteed to be his.

Tommy Shelby: an unforgettable role

Even with all the talk surrounding Oppenheimer, for fans, it is as Thomas Shelby from Peaky Blinders that Cillian Murphy made history. The antihero inspired by a real person is everything the public could hate, but thanks to the actor’s charisma, they loved it. As I joked at the time, he’s part of the club of men we hate to love.

The series ran for 10 years, debuting in 2013 and using an authorial aesthetic with a great soundtrack, super slows and script turns that always surprised me.

It’s almost unimaginable today, but Cillian was almost not the first choice to lead the squad. Peaky Blinders tells the true story of a criminal gang in Birmingham during the post-First World War period, known for their violence and the use of stilettos hidden in their berets.

Re-imagined by showrunner Steven Knight, Thomas Shelby – for him – was more like Jason Statham and Cillian’s shyness almost got in his way because Steven didn’t see him as his protagonist when they first talked. Legend has it that the actor wrote a message to the screenwriter – probably suspicious that the chat hadn’t gone well – saying: “Remember, I’m an actor”. That’s how he won the role. And better, and the rest is History.

As Tommy, Cillian created some classic TV sequences, bringing a dramatic dimension that is the soul of Peaky Blinders. The series said goodbye in 2022, with one of his strongest performances. Remembering that there is a film project, will he still have a schedule?

Awards and stardom: a mature Cillian ready to deal with challenges

Since his debut in 2023 in cinemas, Cillian Murphy‘s name has started to circulate as one of the best actors of his generation, something we have known for decades, but which has tripled in reach with the success of the film.

Cillian must be suffering because with the recognition the interviews he clearly hates giving have also multiplied. And it should only “get worse” because although she has strong competition with Paul Giamatti, her favoritism for the Oscar for Best Actor has gained new momentum. Deserved and longed for, there are only a few weeks left before we know for sure.

Do you know how we can calm down? With the results of the SAG Awards 2024, on February 24th, on Netflix. If he wins, we will already be guaranteed an Oscar on March 10th.
Will be amazing!

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