This Sunday, Cilian Murphy He took the stage at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles to receive his first Oscar. The Irish actor won the Best Actor award for his leading role in Oppenheimerthe most awarded film of the evening.
But Cillian Murphy didn’t gain international recognition for playing the father of the atomic bomb the blockbuster film that grossed more than $950 million.
The actor was, for six seasons, the protagonist of Peaky Blinders, the BBC series that became one of the most watched on Netflix during the pandemic. He starred in the now Oscar winner Thomas Shelbythe leader of an Irish criminal gang that haunted the streets of Birmingham, England, in the 1920s.
The actor knew how to fascinate the audience with a character who, despite being a brutal murderer, had all the characteristics of the perfect antihero. And thanks to this, the reckless, dangerous and ambitious leader of the Shelbys managed to win the affection of the people.
Although her participation in the series was a success, and today she is acclaimed by many, not everyone had faith in her. The screenwriter of Peaky BlindersSteven Knight, believed that Cillian Murphy didn’t have what it took to fill the shoes of such a complex character and He considered him and the character to be complete opposites..
But Cillian didn’t sit idle and managed to convince him to give him a chance, with a text message of just four words: “Remember: I’m an actor”. The Irishman thus obtained the leading role in the successful series which aired on television for almost ten years and which then streaming conquered the world.
Cillian Murphy, leader of the “Peaky Blinders”. Committed to his work
Cillian Murphy’s success can be described in many ways. But it is certainly not a coincidence. To play the leader of the Peaky Blindersthe Irishman who conquered Hollywood had to completely change his lifestyle.
Murphy said it was forced to eat meat after 15 years of veganismin order to generate the physical change necessary if he wanted to portray Thomas Shelby as faithfully as possible.
Furthermore, he had to perfectly learn the typical Birmingham accent, which is one of the most complicated in England. Furthermore, he underwent rigorous training during the six seasons and had to ingest monstrous quantities of protein, given that he has a very lean build and it is very difficult for him to gain weight.
Cillian Murphy as Thomas Shelby in “Peaky Blinders”. The last episode of the series that established Cilian Murphy internationally was broadcast in 2022, but the creator of Peaky Blinders confirmed it the final ending will happen through a movie (of which not many details are yet known).
In the film, Murphy will once again play Thomas Shelby. As reported by Steven Knight, the closing film will tell a true story of World War II, in the best style Peaky Blinders. You also announced that you will focus on two stories but didn’t give too many clues as to what they will be about.
What is certain is that Cillian will have to prepare himself physically to embody the leader of the band once again.
Low profile, despite successes
Although Cillian Murphy’s career continues to grow, the actor doesn’t really like the attention and media life it usually brings. He has made it clear several times that the luxurious life, surrounded by cameras and attention does not interest him at all.
The personal life of the best actor of the year according to the Hollywood Academy is quite calm. He currently lives with his partner and children in his native Ireland, and rests six months a year so as not to neglect his bond with his family.
Cillian Murphy as physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, a role that earned him an Oscar. Photo: AP. Nearly 10 years ago, he decided this was the way he wanted to live. In 2015 she leaves London and the chaos of the big city behind and moves to the outskirts of Dublin, in a modest house on the outskirts of Monkstow. And there she still resides today.
“My job is to portray other people. The less people know about me, the better I can do my job.“Murphy told the Irish press when asked about his lifestyle.
As expected, He has no social media and hates selfies.. He confessed that there is nothing that bothers him more than people secretly photographing him. And he never gives interviews unless they are aimed at promoting a project he is part of. His goal is clearly not to be famous.
Christopher Nolan’s favorite
Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy, award-winning for their work in “Oppenheimer”. Photo: REUTER.Director of Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan, was also awarded for his work at the last edition of the Oscars. From the beginning of Murphy’s career,
Nolan knew how to see the potential she had and squeezed her hand to never let her go again.
The first project they worked on together was Batman begins. Cillian auditioned for the role of Bruce Wayne and, sure enough, when he came to the first audition, the dress seemed enormous to him.
The protagonist of Oppenheimer He knew the role wasn’t for him (and that, for that matter, Christian Bale was auditioning at the same time). But his goal wasn’t to keep the leading role: he just wanted to audition for Nolan, the director he admired so much.
Ultimately, they cast him in the film, but to play the film’s villain, Dr. Jonathan Crane, the character he played throughout Nolan’s Batman trilogy.
At the time Cillian said he would support Christopher in any project, regardless of its size. And from there the duo worked together on six films, including Oppenheimer the finishing touch (and Murphy’s first leading role in a Nolan film).
Cillian Murphy in “Oppenheimer”. Photo: AP.For his part, Christopher Nolan believes that Cillian Murphy is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors of his generation and said that for him working together with the Irishman is “a rewarding experience”.
The duo’s success with Oppenheimer it was like this They swept the 2024 awards season. They won best actor and best director at the Golden Globes, BAFTAs and finally the Oscars this Sunday.
Source: Clarin
