Oppenheimer's Emily Blunt and Matt Damon rave about their co-star Cillian Murphy. Murphy plays the titular character J. Robert Oppenheimer in the upcoming biographical film Oppenheimer, which chronicles the protagonist’s role in the creation of the atomic bomb. Directed by Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer’s cast sees Murphy, Blunt, and Damon acting alongside Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, and Gary Oldman.

Damon and Blunt praise star Murphy’s work for Oppenheimer. Speaking with The New York Times, Damon pointed out the film's demands yet lauded Murphy's full efforts, while Blunt elaborated that her co-star is spot-on with portraying his character. Check out their full responses below:

Matt Damon: “[Oppenheimer was] a marathon. When you are at the center of a movie at that scale, shooting seven scenes in a day, it takes a different focus and concern and commitment. It’s beautiful to watch someone give themselves to it fully.”

Emily Blunt: “[Murphy] leads with truth, he isn’t an actor who chews the scenery. There aren’t many people who can seemingly do nothing and be magnetic like him. And it’s not just about those laser beams on his face! He has thought about every detail. This movie explores not only the trauma of living with a brain like Oppenheimer’s, but what you do with it, and what lengths you are willing to go to. Cillian is brilliant at playing that ambiguity of intention.”

Oppenheimer Could Be a Defining Role for Cillian Murphy

Oppenheimer looking stressed

Beginning with 2005’s Batman Begins, Murphy has been a frequent Nolan collaborator, appearing in several of his major films, but Oppenheimer is by far his biggest role for the acclaimed director. Murphy relatively portrayed supporting roles under Nolan's direction, but the upcoming biopic becomes the actor's first under his helm to portray a leading character.

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Oppenheimer also has the potential to gain momentum as award season approaches. While Nolan’s films garnered accolades before, including a posthumous Oscar for Heath Ledger’s supporting role in The Dark Knight, Nolan experienced a mild hit to his career as the high-budget, flashy sci-fi film Tenet performed poorly at the box office. Thus, Oppenheimer provides Nolan a chance to redeem himself, and given its biographical nature and technical asks, it could make its way into the likes of Oscar conversations.

If Oppenheimer succeeds as a whole, it could be huge for Murphy. Though the actor has gained acclaim for his work, such as in Peaky Blinders, he hasn't earned much award-worthy recognition. However, Oppenheimer could change this for Murphy’s career, and if Blunt and Damon’s descriptions ring true, it just might happen.

Source: NYT

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