Renowned actor Cillian Murphy, acclaimed for his role in ‘Oppenheimer,’ recently shared his perspective on Hollywood film press tours, labeling the current model as “broken.” In an interview with GQ for their March 2024 issue, Murphy, who is nominated for Best Actor at the upcoming Oscars for his performance in Christopher Nolan’s film, criticized traditional junkets and red-carpet interviews, deeming them outdated and lacking engagement.
During the interview, Murphy expressed his dissatisfaction with the existing press tour system, highlighting its monotony and stating, “The model is—everybody is so bored.” He pointed out that the recent SAG-AFTRA strike, which temporarily halted press tours, allowed films like ‘Oppenheimer’ and ‘Barbie’ to succeed at the box office without the usual promotional activities.
Drawing parallels to his experience with “Peaky Blinders,” Murphy noted the show’s initial success without extensive advertising during its first three seasons. Quoting Joanne Woodward’s perspective on acting, he emphasized the need for a shift in focus from personal inquiries to discussions about the craft and artistry, stating, “Acting is like sex—do it, don’t talk about it.”
Murphy further expressed discomfort with questions probing personal details, preferring conversations centered around work and art. Contrary to misconceptions about being a challenging interviewee, he clarified that he enjoys discussing his work and artistic pursuits.
Revealing his tendency to avoid watching his own films, particularly those perceived negatively, Murphy candidly shared his view on the 2005 thriller “Red Eye,” acknowledging it as a good B movie despite it not being among his favorites. Despite reservations about certain projects, Murphy’s commitment to the art of acting and a desire for meaningful conversations within the industry underscore the need for a reimagined approach to film promotion in Hollywood.
