Cillian Murphy, in a recent chat with The Associated Press, used some choice words to express the monumental task of portraying the man behind the atomic bomb in the movie Oppenheimer. He described it as “[expletive] massive.”
The star of Peaky Blinders takes on the role of the theoretical physicist, J. Robert Oppenheimer, in Christopher Nolan’s forthcoming film. This drama explores the intriguing journey of the Manhattan Project, which resulted in the earth-shattering invention of the atomic bomb.
Speaking about Nolan, Murphy reflected, “There’s this mutual trust and rapport that we’ve cultivated over the years,” referring to their previous collaborations such as Dunkirk, Inception, and The Dark Knight series.
Taking on this role felt right for Murphy, but he didn’t mince words when he added, “It just turned out to be an overwhelmingly significant role.”
Despite the weight of the role, Murphy wasn’t hesitant to jump at the opportunity presented by Nolan. “When you delve into Oppenheimer’s life, you realize the complexity and contradictions,” said Murphy. “But with a director like Chris, I knew I was in safe hands. Our work together has been transformative for my career. Every role he’s presented has been compelling, and his sets are always a joy to work on.”
Cillian Murphy Eagerly Waited for a Leading Role from Nolan
For Murphy, being chosen as the lead in a Nolan film was a dream realized.
“I’ve always made it clear, both in private and public conversations with Chris, that if he needs me for a movie, I’m on board, irrespective of the role’s magnitude,” Murphy expressed. “But deep inside, I had this burning desire to play a pivotal role in one of his films.”
The day Nolan approached him for the part remains etched in Murphy’s memory.
Describing Nolan’s subtle and humble nature, Murphy recounted, “In his typically British demeanor, he just said, ‘I’ve put together this script about Oppenheimer. I envision you as my Oppenheimer.’ That day was truly special.”
A Peek into the Cast of Oppenheimer
The narrative of Oppenheimer trails the central character, portrayed by Murphy, as he collaborates with fellow scientists on the Manhattan Project, leading up to the tragic bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Josh Peck, Jack Quaid, Rami Malek, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Gary Oldman, Dane DeHaan, Jason Clark, Kenneth Branagh, Alex Wolff, Benny Safdie, Matthew Modine, Olivia Thirlby, and Casey Affleck.
Moviegoers can expect Oppenheimer to hit screens on July 21.