Oppenheimer’s actor Cillian Murphy has reflected on his audition for the role of Batman in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, revealing that he knew he was not the right fit for the iconic superhero character. In a recent interview on the WTF with Marc Maron podcast, the Irish actor shared his experience and how it led to him being cast as Scarecrow in Batman Begins.
Murphy recalled meeting Nolan in Los Angeles about 20 years ago, where the director, impressed by Murphy’s performance in 28 Days Later, wanted him to screen test for Batman. However, both Murphy and Nolan were aware that he wasn’t the ideal choice for Bruce Wayne. Despite this, the audition revealed something that caught Nolan’s attention, and he cast Murphy as Scarecrow instead.
Acknowledging his physicality, Murphy admitted that he didn’t possess the “physical specimen” qualities needed to portray Batman, unlike Christian Bale, who “transformed himself into that role.” Murphy praised Bale’s portrayal, stating that “I think he defined that role as Batman.”
During the audition, Murphy, like other actors, wore Val Kilmer’s suit from Batman Forever, the last live-action Batman film prior to Nolan’s reboot.
Describing the experience of trying on the suit, Murphy mentioned that “it’s a f—— operation getting into those things.” Despite not landing the role of Batman, Murphy expressed gratitude for the opportunity to try on the suit and screen test for Nolan, as it fulfilled his expectations at the time.
“Imagine this, I’m getting to try on a suit, a Batman suit, on the [Warner Bros.] lot, and do a screen test for Christopher Nolan. That’s all my expectations were at the time,” said the Peaky Blinders actor.
Since Batman Begins, Murphy has maintained a fruitful collaboration with Nolan, appearing in supporting roles in several of his films, including Inception and Dunkirk. Their partnership continues with Oppenheimer, a new biopic in which Murphy plays physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer. The film explores Oppenheimer’s involvement in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II and delves into his life before and after the war.
“I have always said publicly and privately, to Chris, that if I’m available and you want me to be in a movie, I’m there. I don’t really care about the size of the part,” expressed Murphy in May. Though “deep down, secretly, I was desperate to play a lead for him,” he added at the time.
With Oppenheimer, his wish has finally come true, showcasing his talent in the forefront of a Christopher Nolan production.
