Robert Downey Jr says Cillian Murphy’s ‘life is changing now’ as he leads Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer actor Robert Downey Jr told the film’s star, Cillian Murphy, that his “life is changing,” as he leads the new Christopher Nolan project.

In an interview with ExtraTV, the Sherlock actor said: “The way your life is changing now as you’re going to be in front of this huge film, we always have two sets of feelings: one is, ‘that’s great, and I’ll have even more opportunities for roles’, and the other is, ‘what about my privacy?’”

Some fans were confused about Downey’s comments, as they seemed to suggest that the soon-to-be-released Oppenheimer was Murphy’s breakout role. This is despite a career spanning nearly 30 years and 58 acting credits on IMDb.

One fan said on Twitter: “Does he think Cillian’s some kind of C-tier niche Irish actor,” while another added: “Is he aware of the fact that this is Cillian‘s SIXTH Nolan movie.”

Murphy has starred as Tommy Shelby in the period drama crime television series Peaky Blinders since 2013 and appeared in five previous Nolan films. These include Inception (2010), Dunkirk (2017), and the Batman Dark Knight trilogy as the Scarecrow.

Murphy is also known for his roles in films such as 28 Days Later (2002), Breakfast on Pluto (2005), and The Wind that Shakes the Barley (2006).

The Irishman also appeared in A Quiet Place Part II (2020) with Emily Blunt, and Anna (2019) with Helen Mirren and Luke Evans.

Aside from film and TV, Murphy has also appeared in several stage productions, including Irish playwright Enda Walsh’s Disco Pigs (1996)— he later starred in the film adaptation — and Ballyturk (2014).

However, others have pointed out that, although this is Murphy’s sixth Nolan film, it is his first starring role with the director.

And while Murphy is well-known in the UK and Ireland, Oppenheimer is the first time he has played a leading man in a major, international movie.

They say Downey’s comments make sense, because Oppenheimer might result in Murphy winning more attention and acclaim for his performance than any of his previous roles.

One film fan said on Twitter: “This is a milestone in Cillian’s career, he’s never played lead in a film of such calibre.

“He’ll get so much more recognition and love than he already has. Downey has nothing but praise for him, don’t act smart and try to twist his words.”

Another said: “I think he’s addressing how Cillian is a very private person and considering the grandiosity of the film that might be impacted…

“Nothing to do with his skill and acknowledgement as an actor, I think Downey acknowledges his skill already as an actor.”

Murphy himself has spoken about the impact the film has had on him. He told the Guardian that when he was asked to do Oppenheimer, he was “lost for words, but thrilled. Like beyond thrilled”.

He also said that his previous Nolan films were “significant milestones in [his] career”.