The clash of the titans has begun as Oppenheimer and Barbie hit the big screen this weekend, garnering rave reviews and significant box office debuts. Amidst the pair of competing films, it’s unmistakably evident that Christopher Nolan’s biographical masterpiece, a much darker narrative, takes center stage. It narrates the life of American physicist and creator of the atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer, based on the bestselling book American Prometheus by Martin K. Sherwin and Kai Bird. Touching upon the ethics of developing one of history’s most destructive weapons and its impact on humanity, Cillian Murphy informed FilmSweep’s Steve Weintraub—prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike—that the hearing sequence was the most emotionally taxing part of the filming process for him.
Murphy opened up about the filming of the hearing, stating it took two weeks and was the toughest sequence throughout Oppenheimer’s substantial three-hour duration. In the narrative of Oppenheimer’s life, his security hearing emerged as a key moment, not just for him, but for the larger scientific community. The government he served for years turned against him due to alleged ties to Communism. The controversial decision to revoke his Q clearance, essentially terminating his public career as a reputable scientist and government consultant, sent a potent warning to his peers. It was a bitter pill to swallow for Oppenheimer, especially with some colleagues testifying against him.
Involving a host of skilled actors, the claustrophobic setting, and the emotional weight of a man’s entire career collapsing, Murphy highlighted the hearing as his favored part of filming Oppenheimer, stating:
“To tell you the truth, all parts felt the same. [Laughs] But the part of the movie I cherished the most was the section in the room, in 2022, when we all gathered for the hearing. We shot in this small, substandard room. It was just all of us cramped in there with a huge camera, no moveable walls; it was almost like staging a play. We did that for two weeks, which meant incredible actors like Jason Clarke and others came in to do their part. I found it to be emotionally intense and heavy, but in a brilliant manner. It was truly challenging, hence it was my favorite portion of the film in terms of shooting.”
Image via Universal
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Nolan Explored Oppenheimer’s Inner Turmoil Through the Movie
Despite Murphy’s portrayal of Oppenheimer in the film, it was Nolan who attempted to delve into the scientist’s mind during critical points of his life while scripting the film. He stated that he wrote the entire script from Oppenheimer’s first-person perspective to make audiences step into his shoes. “This is a story you undergo with him — you don’t critique him,” he clarified. “You confront these unresolvable ethical dilemmas with him.” In relation to the hearing, this approach amplifies the heartbreak as viewers witness what it felt like for the man to lose everything he strived for.
The outcome is what some, including Murphy’s co-star Bennie Safdie, have labeled as Nolan’s best work to date, with a pronounced emphasis on realistic elements as it unfolds the scientist’s story. An impressive cast including Murphy, Safdie, Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Florence Pugh, Jack Quaid, Josh Hartnett, Rami Malek, Gary Oldman, Kenneth Branagh, Alden Ehrenreich, Dane DeHaan, and David Dastmalchian, among others, certainly adds to the film’s appeal.
Oppenheimer is now showing in theaters. Enjoy our full conversation with Murphy below:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Cillian Murphy ‘Oppenheimer’ filming experience
What film is Cillian Murphy discussing his experience with?
Cillian Murphy is discussing his experience with the film ‘Oppenheimer’, a biographical epic directed by Christopher Nolan.
What scene from the movie ‘Oppenheimer’ did Murphy find the most emotionally taxing to film?
Cillian Murphy found the hearing sequence most emotionally taxing to film, which took a total of two weeks.
What is the ‘Oppenheimer’ film based on?
‘Oppenheimer’ is based on the bestselling book ‘American Prometheus’ by Martin K. Sherwin and Kai Bird. The film narrates the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the American physicist and creator of the atomic bomb.
How did Christopher Nolan approach the writing process for ‘Oppenheimer’?
Nolan wrote the script from Oppenheimer’s first-person perspective, aiming to make the audience experience the story from his viewpoint, not to judge him but to confront his ethical dilemmas.
Who are some other notable cast members in the ‘Oppenheimer’ film?
Alongside Cillian Murphy, the cast of ‘Oppenheimer’ includes Bennie Safdie, Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Florence Pugh, Jack Quaid, Josh Hartnett, Rami Malek, Gary Oldman, Kenneth Branagh, Alden Ehrenreich, Dane DeHaan, and David Dastmalchian.
More about Cillian Murphy ‘Oppenheimer’ filming experience
- Cillian Murphy discusses filming ‘Oppenheimer’
- ‘Oppenheimer’ Official Movie Trailer
- More about J. Robert Oppenheimer
- Christopher Nolan’s Directing Style
- ‘American Prometheus’ by Martin K. Sherwin and Kai Bird
