Cillian Murphy is said to be “in the running” to be the next James Bond.
The Irish actor has impressed producers with his critically acclaimed performance in Oppenheimer.
The Cork native is also the favourite to win Best Actor at this year’s Academy Awards in Hollywood.
According to The Sun, the Bond bosses are keen for the Peaky Blinders star to take on the role of 007.
A source said: “Cillian is the toast of Hollywood right now and this would be the ultimate role.”
“This is a way to elevate the Bond franchise with an actor who is at the very top of his game.”
Clay Bunker who appeared opposite Cillian in Oppenheimer has supported the idea of the Irish actor taking on the iconic role.
He said: “He would fare beautifully. It’s funny because Cillian is the nicest human but he has that dark side and there’s a darkness to Bond.”
“We forget that sometimes Bond is like the character [Ian] Fleming created — a pretty dark character.”
“He just happens to be on the side that we call good. Cillian has that ability to tap into that.”
The actor has been nominated for Best Actor at this year’s Academy Awards for his role in Oppenheimer.
The actor will go up against Bradley Cooper (Maestro), Colman Domingo (Rustin), Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers) and Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction) in his category.
Speaking with Helen Ní Shé on RTÉ’s Raidió na Gaeltachta, Cillian’s father Breandán Ó Murchú said that while he is “very pleased for him”, he doesn’t like to say he is proud of him “because it’s his achievement, not ours”.
“We don’t like to make too much fuss about him,” he continued.
“He’s got a job like the sons and daughters of other people, and the difference – he gets a lot of publicity. All the same, we’re so happy for him and pleased.”
Cillian was at his family home in Ballintemple, Co. Cork when the nominations were announced.
His dad said: “We were all here… We were all together and we had a cup of tea and the story came and we were delighted.”
