Cillian Murphy Displays Impressive Physique Ahead of Peaky Blinders Movie Filming
On Thursday, Cillian Murphy showcased his impressive muscular physique as he made his way to the gym in preparation for filming the Peaky Blinders movie.
The 47-year-old Irish actor, renowned for his portrayal of Tommy Shelby in the acclaimed BBC series, highlighted his toned figure beneath a fitted grey T-shirt while gearing up for an intense workout in Dublin. He complemented his look with casual tracksuit bottoms, trainers, a cap, and sunglasses.
This new look marks a significant shift from last year when Murphy employed rigorous and ‘unhealthy’ methods to prepare for his Oscar-winning role in Oppenheimer. In his commitment to embodying J. Robert Oppenheimer, he reportedly subsisted on a mere almond per day to reflect the physicist’s “almost emaciated” frame.
However, Murphy has since returned to a more balanced fitness regime after signing on for the Peaky Blinders film, where he will reprise his iconic role two years after the original series concluded.
Earlier this year, Murphy expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “I have always said that if [creator Steven Knight] delivers a script that I know he can deliver, because he is such a phenomenal writer, I’ll be there. If we want to watch 50-year-old Tommy Shelby, I will be there. Let’s do it.”
The film will be shot in Birmingham, England, primarily at the Digbeth studios and on location in Digbeth and Small Heath. While the release date is yet to be confirmed, the film is anticipated to debut no earlier than 2025.
Reflecting on his character, Murphy shared, “I loved playing him. He was exhausting and so wildly different from me that each time I returned to the role was kind of a journey. I’m really not sentimental about work. I feel like the next project is always the most exciting. It was a ten-year period in my life, so it is significant, but I always think, let’s keep moving.”
Initially, there were plans for a seventh season of Peaky Blinders, set during World War II; however, the upcoming film will now serve as the series’ conclusion after six successful seasons.
Since its debut in 2013, Peaky Blinders has captivated audiences both in the UK and internationally, paving the way for notable roles for actors such as Tom Hardy and Anya Taylor-Joy.
Murphy’s dedication to physical transformation for his roles is well-documented. For Oppenheimer, he underwent a drastic transformation, surviving on an “almond a day,” as noted by his co-star Emily Blunt. She described his commitment to slimming down for the role as a “monumental undertaking.”
In an interview with Extra, Blunt, who portrayed Kitty, Oppenheimer’s on-screen wife, spoke of Murphy’s rigorous preparation. Murphy himself remarked, “I love acting with my body, and Oppenheimer had a very distinct physicality and silhouette, which I wanted to get right. I had to lose quite a bit of weight, and we worked closely with the costume and tailoring; he was very slim, almost emaciated, existing on martinis and cigarettes. He had these really bright eyes, and I aimed to capture that wide-eyed look, so we focused heavily on his silhouette and expressions before filming began.”
