Cillian Murphy’s Heartfelt Regret Over Missing Interstellar
Cillian Murphy opens up about the one Christopher Nolan film he wishes he’d been part of, revealing the emotional impact it had on him and why it stands out among their collaborations.
There aren’t many director-actor duos in the film world as closely linked as Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy. Their partnership has become a fixture in modern cinema, with each bringing out the best in the other. While both have carved out impressive careers on their own, it’s hard to picture Nolan’s signature style or Murphy’s on-screen presence without their ongoing collaboration.
Their working relationship kicked off in the early 2000s, when Nolan was struck by Murphy’s performance in 28 Days Later. Nolan, on the hunt for someone to play Bruce Wayne, invited Murphy for a meal. It didn’t take long for him to realise Murphy wasn’t quite the right fit for Batman, but the meeting sparked a creative connection. Instead, Murphy landed the role of Scarecrow, which, while memorable, didn’t give him much time in the spotlight. Still, it set the stage for a series of projects together, with Murphy popping up in six of Nolan’s films to date.
It wasn’t until Oppenheimer in 2023 that Murphy finally got a leading role in one of Nolan’s blockbusters. Many reckon only Murphy could’ve handled the weight of that story, bringing a real sense of humanity to Nolan’s often mind-bending narratives. Some even say Nolan owes a fair bit of the film’s success to Murphy’s performance.
Missed Opportunities and Lasting Impact
Despite their strong partnership, the two have occasionally gone their separate ways for a spell. Murphy has admitted he was actually relieved not to be involved in The Odyssey, given how demanding Oppenheimer was. But there’s one project he genuinely wishes he hadn’t missed out on.
In a 2023 chat with The Independent, Murphy revealed that Nolan’s space epic left him feeling a bit left out.
“I adore Interstellar just because I find it so emotional,”
he shared, recalling how he watched it at the cinema when his kids were still little.
“It just had a big impact on me,”
he added.
“It broke my heart. I love watching his films when I’m not in them because you don’t have to freak out about the size of your ears, or whatever.”
The Emotional Pull of Interstellar
Of all Nolan’s works, Interstellar stands out for its emotional depth, exploring themes like family, loss, and the passage of time. The story follows Cooper, played by Matthew McConaughey, a farmer and former NASA physicist who’s tasked with piloting a mission through a wormhole to find a new home for humanity. The heart of the film is Cooper’s gut-wrenching choice: leave his children behind to try and save the world, or stay and watch civilisation fall apart.
It’s no wonder Murphy found the film so moving. The emotional stakes are sky-high, and the story hits close to home for anyone who’s ever had to make a tough call for the sake of family. While Murphy would’ve brought his own unique touch to the role, it’s hard to imagine anyone but McConaughey as Cooper, with his mix of bravado and down-to-earth charm.
What Could Have Been
Murphy’s regret over missing out on Interstellar is a rare glimpse into the usually private actor’s feelings about his career. Even though he’s had plenty of standout moments in Nolan’s films, this one clearly struck a chord. For Murphy, watching the film as a punter rather than a cast member was both a relief and a heartbreak, a reminder of the roles that get away—even for the most in-demand actors.