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Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of Thomas Shelby inPeaky Blindersstands as one of the highlights of his career, showcasing a character capable of seamlessly transitioning from a sophisticated country gentleman to a ruthless urban thug at the flick of a razor-edged hat.
Despite Murphy’s seemingly irreplaceable performance, he could have potentially lost the role to theFast and Furiousstar Jason Statham. Knight has shared that Statham was also in talks to star in the historical drama and he even met him for the role.
Peaky BlindersCreator Met Jason Statham For the Role of Tommy Shelby
In a live watch-along byEsquire UK,Steven Knight discussed the casting process for the role of Tommy Shelby inPeaky Blinders.He revealed that while he initially considered Jason Statham, whom he had worked with on the 2013 filmHummingbird, he ultimately opted for Cillian Murphy.
The filmmaker shared that he initially choseJason Stathambecause of his commanding presence during their meeting, suggesting that he had the potential for a more intense portrayal of the character. However, he still decided to go ahead with theOppenheimerstar.
“He definitely is returning for it”: Cillian Murphy Confirmed to Return as Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders Movie With Another Exciting Update from Steven Knight
He changed his decision upon recognizing Murphy’s acting prowess, and his ability to fully embody his character on-screen, contrasting it with his off-screen persona. He shared,
“I was considering Cillian and Jason Statham. I met them both in in Los Angeles to talk about the role and opted for Jason—Jason was Jason and Cillian when you meet him isn’t Tommy, obviously, but I was stupid enough not to understand that.”
He praised Murphy’s transformative talent, highlighting his dedication and skill in maintaining character throughout filming. Knight emphasized Murphy’s extraordinary ability to completely inhabit a role, highlighting his exceptional talent and dedication as an actor.
Steven Knight Recalled Cillian Murphy’s Text After their Meeting
Cillian Murphyhassharedthat he was not sure about landing the role inPeaky Blindersfollowing his meeting with Steven Knight. To reassure the filmmaker of his abilities, Murphy sent a text stating,“Remember, I am an actor.”TheLockedirector recalled receiving the text from Murphy after his meeting.
“He came and we talked there’s a few of us—Shortly after he sent her a text saying, ‘Remember, I’m an actor,'”he shared. AndSteven Knightshared that he genuinely believed in Murphy’s assertion as he can truly transform himself into his characters.
He noted that Murphy’s transformation goes beyond simply flicking a switch, as it requires immense dedication and talent.“What he can do is extraordinary, with himself with his whole presence,”he said before adding“[It’s] not like the flick of a button.”
“They better cast majority Irish actors”: Peaky Blinders Creator Announces Next Series That’s Tailor Made to Put Ireland on Top After Cillian Murphy’s Oscar Win
The Oscar-winning actor portrayed the character throughout the six-season run of the series and has received immense love and praise for his performance. And he is now expected to reprise his role in the upcomingPeaky Blindersmovie, which Knight suggested could start filming soon.
Peaky Blindersis available to stream on Netflix.
Laxmi Rajput
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3448
Laxmi Rajput is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, with over 3,300 articles published covering film, TV, and pop culture. With a degree in Broadcast Journalism and over three years of experience in content writing, she pivoted to entertainment journalism because let’s be honest, superheroes, sitcoms, and Netflix binges are way more fun. Laxmi frequently covers Marvel, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and popular TV shows, offering both fan-first enthusiasm and thoughtful analysis. Her work often dives into Marvel theories, revisits the genius of The Big Bang Theory, or unpacks the Netflix phenomenon of Stranger Things.
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Cillian MurphyJason StathamSteven Knight
