Jason Statham Almost Replaced Cillian Murphy in ‘Peaky Blinders’
When renowned screenwriter Steven Knight was developing what would become the modern gangster classic television series ‘Peaky Blinders’, he faced a crucial decision. He had fully fleshed out his main character, Thomas Shelby: an ambitious, emotionally detached war veteran living as if he were already dead. Knight was choosing between two very different actors to embody Shelby.
One was an icon of the Irish acting scene, versatile enough to fit into almost any film genre. The other was a rough-and-tumble action star known for fighting sharks and kicking down doors. This unexpected matchup pitted Cillian Murphy against Jason Statham.
Also Read: Madonna Can’t Get Over Meeting Cillian Murphy at The 2024 Oscars
Knight shared that he was torn between these two masters of brooding intensity. He recalled meeting both in LA to discuss the role, initially leaning towards Statham because of his imposing physical presence. Knight admitted, “Physically in the room, Jason is Jason,” suggesting Statham’s tough-guy persona was not just an act.
However, Murphy, who is soft-spoken and gentle in real life, sent Knight a text saying, “Remember, I’m an actor.” This reminded Knight of Murphy’s transformative ability, leading him to recognize that Murphy could indeed embody the complex character of Thomas Shelby.
Choosing Murphy over Statham was not a slight against Statham, who excels in his niche of action-packed roles. While Thomas Shelby is a ruthless and strategic politician at heart, Statham’s characters are typically portrayed as likeable heroes, often facing off against more overtly evil adversaries.
Statham’s strength lies in his streetwise, quippy persona, making him a modern-day Charles Bronson or Steve McQueen. However, his characters are almost always portrayed positively, which might not align with the morally ambiguous and emotionally closed-off nature of Thomas Shelby.
Murphy, on the other hand, has built a reputation as a consummate actor capable of playing a wide range of intense characters. Despite initial doubts, Murphy’s history of portraying men of imposing force, such as the terrorist in ‘Red Eye’ or the chaotic character in ‘Disco Pigs’, demonstrated his ability to project murderous drive while maintaining a composed exterior.
His ability to gather knowledge and play a long game, portraying a character who is calculating and emotionally guarded, made him a perfect fit for Thomas Shelby. Ultimately, Murphy’s nuanced performance as Thomas Shelby, capable of conveying complex moral conflicts and strategic manipulation, proved to be the right choice for ‘Peaky Blinders’.
His portrayal allowed for a deeper exploration of the character’s darker potential, free from the audience’s expectations of a traditional likeable hero. Thus, while both actors bring their unique strengths to the table, Cillian Murphy was the ideal choice for the role, by order of the ‘Peaky Blinders’.
– Farheen Ali
