Cillian Murphy recently responded to a humorous but pointed comment made by his Oppenheimer co-star, Matt Damon, who described him as the “worst dinner companion.” This remark came during a 60 Minutes interview aired on February 18, where Damon revealed that, while filming the biographical drama in a remote New Mexico desert, Murphy was notably distant and often preferred to keep to himself during meals.
The Isolated Filming Experience
Filming Oppenheimer involved living in a secluded location, with only one hotel and restaurant available for the cast. Damon, who portrayed General Leslie Groves, explained that while the rest of the cast frequently gathered for meals, Murphy often declined dinner invitations, focusing instead on staying immersed in his character. This tendency led Damon to jokingly label Murphy as a “difficult dinner partner.”
Murphy’s Commitment to His Role
When asked about Damon’s remark, Murphy chuckled and admitted the comment was true. He explained that his focus on playing J. Robert Oppenheimer required full mental and physical attention, and his time outside of filming was dedicated to keeping his performance fresh. “I’ve always been like that,” Murphy confessed. “But it’s because, to me, you have the time on set, which is short enough time — you have 10 hours, maybe. And then the other part, if you’ve got a significant part, you’re having to keep your lines fresh.”
Murphy also emphasized the importance of rest, especially when portraying such a monumental historical figure. “The other big thing for me is sleeping. I love sleeping and I need sleep,” he added. Murphy’s commitment to his craft meant prioritizing his physical and mental well-being, sometimes at the expense of socializing with his co-stars.
A Change in Social Dynamics After Filming
However, Murphy was quick to point out that, after production wrapped up, he became much more sociable. “I’ve had lots of lovely dinners with Matt Damon since the movie’s finished and we’ve been out promoting it and stuff,” he said with a smile, indicating that their relationship had warmed up after the intense filming period.
Damon and Blunt Weigh In on Murphy’s Focus
Damon had previously acknowledged Murphy’s intense focus during a Entertainment Tonight interview in July 2023, explaining that Murphy, who had to undergo a significant physical transformation for the role, was often too exhausted or focused to join the group for meals. “He was so focused on the role and the physicality of it, sometimes his diet was just an almond or a slice of apple,” Damon explained. This sacrifice was part of Murphy’s commitment to portraying Oppenheimer as authentically as possible.
Emily Blunt, who portrayed Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer, also reflected on Murphy’s dedication, explaining that the weight of such a demanding role naturally required solitude. “The sheer volume of what [Murphy] had to take on for the role and shoulder is so monumental,” Blunt said. “Of course, he didn’t want to come and have dinner with us.”
Robert Downey Jr. Reflects on Murphy’s Dedication
Murphy’s commitment didn’t go unnoticed by his co-stars. Robert Downey Jr., who portrayed Lewis Strauss, expressed admiration for Murphy’s dedication to his role. In a July 2023 interview, Downey called it one of the most significant sacrifices he had ever seen from a lead actor in his career. “I have never witnessed a greater sacrifice by a lead actor,” Downey remarked, praising Murphy’s humility and focus on delivering a performance worthy of such an iconic character.
Murphy’s Extraordinary Transformation
As the Oppenheimer cast has moved on from filming, it’s clear that Murphy’s intense commitment to his role was both an extraordinary professional achievement and a deeply personal journey. His transformation into one of the 20th century’s most influential figures, J. Robert Oppenheimer, required immense dedication, and his sacrifice paid off in a performance that has been widely praised.
