‘Oppenheimer’ Cillian Murphy On Working With Christopher Nolan

Cillian Murphy and Christopher Nolan’s working relationship started 20 years ago when he screen tested for Nolan’s Batman Begins in 2003 and since Murphy has played a supporting role in many Nolan films including his Batman films, Inception & Dunkirk.

For the first time he takes the lead role in Oppenheimer in which Murphy plays theoretical physicist and “father of the atomic bomb” J. Robert Oppenheimer.

Cillian Murphy told the Associated Press of the day Nolan called him to speak to him about Oppenheimer. After which Murphy hung up in disbelief.

“He’s so understated and self-deprecating and, in his very English manner, just said, ‘Listen, I’ve written this script, it’s about Oppenheimer. I’d like you to be my Oppenheimer,’” Murphy, 46, told The Associated Press. “It was a great day.”

“I have always said publicly and privately, to Chris, that if I’m available and you want me to be in a movie, I’m there. I don’t really care about the size of the part,” Murphy said. “But deep down, secretly, I was desperate to play a lead for him.”

Oppenheimer is based on the book American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin and follows the physicist with the creation of the atomic bomb during World War II.

“You realize this is a huge responsibility. He was complicated and contradictory and so iconic,” Murphy said of the character. “But you know you’re with one of the great directors of all time. I felt confident going into it with Chris. He’s had a profound impact on my life, creatively and professionally. He’s offered me very interesting roles and I’ve found all of them really challenging. And I just love being on his sets.”

Source: Associated Press.

Oppenheimer is released in Cinemas July 21. Watch the trailer below.