LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In a surprising turn of events, Cillian Murphy managed to convince 'Peaky Blinders' creator Steven Knight, that he was the ideal choice for the lead role, snatching it from Jason Statham. Knight initially saw Statham as the natural fit for the intellectual and intimidating character of Thomas Shelby, given his background in action movies. However, Murphy was determined to secure the role and conveyed his passion through a single text message, ultimately winning over Knight.
When considering the casting for the intense role of Thomas Shelby on BBC's gritty crime drama 'Peaky Blinders', Knight met with both Jason Statham and Cillian Murphy. Initially, Knight leaned towards selecting Statham due to his physical presence and tough-guy persona, as observed during their interview in Los Angeles.
‘Remember, I'm an actor’
Reflecting on the decision-making process, Knight mentioned in an Esquire interview, "I met them both in L.A. to talk about the role and opted for Jason Statham. One of the reasons was because physically in the room Jason is Jason."
Following their meeting, Steven Knight appeared to have reservations about Cillian Murphy's suitability to portray the violent gang leader, Tommy Shelby. Knight initially felt that Murphy didn't embody the character. However, Murphy's response to Knight's doubts showcased his acting prowess and ability to transform himself.
In a text message to Knight, Murphy reminded him, "Remember, I'm an actor." This remark highlighted Murphy's understanding of his craft and his capability to completely immerse himself in a role. Knight recognized the truth in Murphy's words and acknowledged his extraordinary talent for transformation. Murphy's ability to become a different person on-screen contrasted sharply with his real-life persona, proving his acting skills to be exceptional.
‘There was a bit of convincing needed’
Cillian Murphy's message to 'Peaky Blinders' creator Steven Knight was not intended as a dig at Jason Statham or to imply that Statham couldn't act. It was simply a way for Murphy to convey to Knight that he, too, could embody the necessary brutality and intimidation required for the role of Tommy Shelby, despite not naturally exuding those qualities in real life.
During an interview with The Guardian, Digital Spy noted that Murphy acknowledged that there was a need for some convincing to secure the role, likely referring to the initial hesitation Knight had about his suitability for the character. However, Murphy's intention was not to undermine Statham or question his acting abilities. Murphy commented, “There was a bit of convincing needed."
Regarding the text message, Cillian Murphy, known for his role as Thomas Shelby in 'Peaky Blinders', responded to the mention of his message by saying, "It's a cool story. If I was that succinct, I'll take it." Murphy clarified that his words had no correlation to Jason Statham or his skills as an actor. He emphasized that the statement "Remember I'm an actor...and Statham isn't?" was completely unrelated and not meant to diminish Statham's abilities in any way.
