Cillian Murphy Watched 2 Movies to Deliver His Oscar Worthy Performance in Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’
Cillian Murphy is best known for his role in the period crime thriller Peaky Blinders as Thomas ‘Tommy’ Shelby. The actor has garnered fans’ attention after his portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan’s biographical thriller Oppenheimer. The highly anticipated film of 2023 landed in theaters and bombed at the box office.
Nolan has described his sci-fi film as one of the biggest films he has ever made. The filmmaker’s claims have been shocking as he has directed some of the biggest films of the last 15 years. As Nolan is the brain behind the film, Murphy has become the heart of the film. His portrayal of Oppenheimer has received praise from fans and critics. The Irish actor has worked with the acclaimed director but as a side actor. Oppenheimer marked his first lead film of Nolan. To bring out his best performance in the biographical, Cillian Murphy watched two films and did his research.
Cillian Murphy Seeked Inspiration From Films For His Role In Oppenheimer
The release of Oppenheimer has created a worldwide sensation. The film starring Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb, is receiving a lot of praise. It has been one of the highly anticipated films by Christopher Nolan.
As the film climbs the ladder of success at the box office, fans and critics are praising Murphy for his portrayal of the titular character. The Irish actor played the mastermind behind the invention of the atomic bomb. He had a huge responsibility in mirroring the real life of Oppenheimer. The actor revealed he sought inspiration from two movies for his role in the sci-fi thriller.
The Peaky Blinders star watched two specific films. All of this was part of Murphy’s process of connecting with and finding the truth of his character. The actor watched David Lean’s massive 1962 epic Lawrence of Arabia. The film depicts the journey of T. E. Lawrence and his travels during World War I to unite Arab tribes. It stars Peter O’Toole in the lead and is regarded as one of the best films ever made, and it covers a lot of material in its lengthy running time.
Murphy watched Lawrence of Arabia in terms of scale and the life-story aspect. The film is also a biopic similar to Oppenheimer but doesn’t feel like a standard biopic. The film depicts the life of the character on specific points, just like Nolan’s biographical thriller.
Another film the 47-year-old watched was Amadeus. The film is extensively fictionalized and concentrates on F. Murray Abraham’s Antonio Salieri, a composer who is envious of Mozart’s talents, which Salieri regards as divine. The reason behind watching the film was the rivalry between Mozart and Salieri. The sci-fi drama has a similar rivalry between Oppenheimer and Lewis Strauss.
The actor revealed he watched Amadeus because of Salieri and Mozart and the competitive relationship they had in the film. It’s no surprise that Murphy found inspiration in these films and delivered an Oscar-worthy performance through Oppenheimer.
Cillian Murphy plays the lead in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer
Cillian Murphy’s intense commitment to playing the lead role in Oppenheimer has won high praise from his fans. The highly anticipated Christopher Nolan film clashed with Barbie. Murphy’s portrayal of the father of the atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer is earning plenty of plaudits and helping Oppenheimer fight Barbie at the box office.
The sci-fi thriller has seen tremendous success at the box office. The film grossed $82 million domestically and $180 million internationally over its domestic and international opening weekends. Fans all over the world are praising the Irish actor after his portrayal of Oppenheimer.
The way Murphy has mirrored the role of J. Robert Oppenheimer in the film, he is a deserving candidate for the Oscars. The film even has exceptional performances by Robert Downey Jr. It stars Cillian Murphy in the lead along with Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Emily Blunt, and Matt Damon.
Oppenheimer is available for viewing in theaters worldwide.
Source: Independent
