“It broke my heart”: Cillian Murphy Loves One Thing About Not Starring in Christopher Nolan’s Oscar Winning Movie
For acclaimed Irish actor Cillian Murphy, there was one bittersweet drawback to his close creative relationship with director Christopher Nolan – missing the chance to star in 2014’s sci-fi epic Interstellar. Though Murphy appreciates getting to enjoy the film purely as a viewer, he admits to initially feeling “heartbroken” that scheduling conflicts prevented him from joining the space adventure.
Cillian Murphy: A Frequent Christopher Nolan Collaborator
As one of Nolan’s most frequent acting collaborators, Murphy starred in breakthrough hits like Batman Begins, Inception, and Dunkirk. So when Nolan began work on his most ambitious project ever, Murphy hoped to continue their partnership.
“Every time he embarks on a new project, I’m always curious to see what he’s going to do,” Murphy explained in an interview with The Economic Times.
But with Interstellar already in development, Murphy had committed to Peaky Blinders, forcing him to reluctantly decline. “I was heartbroken not to be able to do it. Just to see Chris’ imagination run wild would’ve been amazing,” he admitted.
Relishing the Movie’s Mystery and Scale
Missing out on a lead role let Murphy simply enjoy Interstellar’s thrilling theatrical experience. “There’s nothing better than that, going to see a Chris Nolan film and not having a f**king clue what’s going on,” he laughed.
Watching in wonder, without dissecting his own performance, proved liberating. “You can just engage as a punter, as an audience member,” Murphy said. “I loved it.”
He was particularly awed by the film’s epic scope and human story grounded amid mind-bending concepts. Interstellar showed Murphy the extent of Nolan’s vision realized with resources to match.
No Regrets About Fateful Career Choices
While wistful about the missed opportunity, Murphy expressed no professional regrets. Committing to Peaky Blinders further elevated his stardom and allowed him to play a character over many seasons.
And Nolan and Murphy’s bond remains strong regardless, as evidenced by their latest collaboration on 2023’s Oppenheimer. Rather than lamenting roads not taken, Murphy focuses on gratitude for the winding journey.
As he noted philosophically, “Your life goes in directions that you can’t foresee.”, as per The Digital Fix. Missing Interstellar perhaps opened new doors by keeping Murphy available for other fateful projects.
For Cillian Murphy, a scheduling conflict that prevented him from joining pal Christopher Nolan on the sci-fi spectacle Interstellar initially stung. But rather than harboring disappointment, Murphy chose to appreciate engaging with the finished film as a regular moviegoer. Though he missed out on a lead role, Murphy’s story demonstrates the surprising twists and turns in a successful acting career. Ultimately, seizing opportunities when they arise matters more than clinging to those that slip away.
Source: Variety
