Known for his unique artistic sensibilities, Cillian Murphy, the actor who brought Batman’s nemesis Scarecrow to life, has revealed that he intentionally kept himself in the dark about the details of The Dark Knight Rises. Wanting to experience the thrill of the story’s climax with the audience, Murphy chose not to read the entire script, making an unusual decision that speaks volumes about his distinctive approach to his craft.
During a tell-all chat with the mastermind behind the Batman franchise, Christopher Nolan, for Entertainment Weekly, Murphy spoke about his distinctive way of handling his part in the franchise.
“You know what, I don’t actually want to read the script,” he confessed to Nolan. “Just tell me what I’m doing, just tell me what my motivation is, and then I want to see the movie.”
Even on the day he was set to film, Murphy remained in the dark about the entire narrative arc, preferring to keep the suspense alive for when he would sit down in the theatre as an audience member.
The Approach to Oppenheimer
If you thought that was a one-off instance, think again. Cillian Murphy’s preference for maintaining a shroud of mystery extends beyond Batman. He has taken a similar approach with Nolan’s upcoming film Oppenheimer. Stepping into the shoes of the father of the atomic bomb, Murphy decided not to immerse himself in scientific studies for the role.
Instead, he appears to have trusted his director’s vision and his instincts to do justice to the character.
Scarecrow: Nolan’s Favorite
For Nolan, who has an unparalleled reputation for spinning fascinating narratives, the Scarecrow remains a character close to his heart. In the Entertainment Weekly interview, he revealed that his favorite Scarecrow moment is the kangaroo court scene from Dark Knight Rises.
Going beyond the scene, Christopher Nolan gave an intriguing insight into the character’s development throughout the Batman franchise. He suggested that Scarecrow’s enduring existence was a deliberate choice,
“the character never died, just conveniently would be sort of offscreen somehow. Therefore [I was] able to call you up and say, ‘Come on back and put the sack over your head one last time.'”
This playful insight offers a peek into the whimsical conversations and decisions behind the creation of such a monumental franchise.
Murphy: From Almost-Batman to Iconic Scarecrow
Digging further into Murphy’s journey within the Batman franchise reveals an interesting fact: Cillian Murphy could have donned the Batman suit himself!
He initially auditioned for the lead role before Christian Bale snagged it. But as Nolan recalled, Murphy’s audition left everyone in the room so spellbound that his casting as Scarecrow was unanimous.
“That was a big leap for them, and it really was purely on the basis of that test,” Nolan said, attributing Murphy’s casting as the supervillain to his magnetic performance in the audition.
Murphy’s Moment in the Spotlight with Oppenheimer
After leaving a lasting imprint as Scarecrow, Murphy is now gearing up to step into his first-ever leading role in a Nolan film: the eagerly awaited World War II drama Oppenheimer. The movie is a parade of A-listers, including Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Florence Pugh, and Emily Blunt.
An excited Murphy expressed his eagerness for this new chapter in his collaboration with Nolan.
“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,” he said. But he also confessed to harboring a secret desire: “deep down, I was desperate to play a lead for him.”
As fans around the globe await Murphy’s performance in Oppenheimer, his journey in cinema serves as a testament to his commitment to keeping the mystery alive, both in his work and his life.
Perhaps this sense of intrigue makes Murphy such a captivating presence on the silver screen and an equally intriguing figure in real life.
