Cillian Murphy recently addressed a humorous yet pointed comment made by his Oppenheimer co-star, Matt Damon, who described him as the “worst dinner companion.” The exchange occurred during a 60 Minutes interview that aired on February 18, where Damon revealed that Murphy was notably distant during their time filming the biographical drama in a remote New Mexico desert.
The Isolated Filming Experience
Filming Oppenheimer meant living in an isolated location with only one hotel and restaurant available. Damon, who portrayed General Leslie Groves, shared that while the rest of the cast would often gather for meals, Murphy preferred to keep to himself, focusing intensely on his character and often declining dinner invitations. This tendency led Damon to jokingly describe Murphy as a difficult dinner partner.
Murphy’s Commitment to His Role
When asked about this remark during the interview, Murphy laughed and agreed, explaining that his commitment to the role of J. Robert Oppenheimer required his full attention. “I’ve always been like that,” Murphy admitted, “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 revealed that while he was focused on his performance and needed time to rest, particularly to get enough sleep, he wasn’t always in the mood for socializing. “The other big thing for me is sleeping. I love sleeping and I need sleep,” he shared. The demands of portraying Oppenheimer, a monumental historical figure, meant that he prioritized his mental and physical well-being over socializing.
A Change in Social Dynamics After Filming
However, Murphy was quick to add that, once the 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 noted with a smile, showing that their relationship had warmed up after the intensity of filming.
Damon and Blunt Weigh In on Murphy’s Focus
Damon had previously acknowledged Murphy’s intense focus on his role during an interview with Entertainment Tonight in July 2023. He explained that Murphy, who had to shed considerable weight for the role, was often too exhausted or focused to join the group for meals. Instead, Murphy’s diet consisted of very little — sometimes just an almond or a slice of apple. This sacrifice, Damon noted, was part of Murphy’s commitment to portraying Oppenheimer as authentically as possible.
Emily Blunt, who played Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer, also commented on Murphy’s intense focus during filming, explaining that the weight of the role demanded 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
While the intensity of Murphy’s preparation for his role was a topic of conversation, it didn’t go unnoticed by his fellow cast members. Robert Downey Jr., who portrayed Lewis Strauss, expressed his admiration for Murphy’s commitment, calling it one of the most significant sacrifices he had seen from a lead actor in his career. “I have never witnessed a greater sacrifice by a lead actor,” Downey remarked in a July 2023 interview. Murphy’s dedication to the role, he said, demonstrated the level of humility required to pull off such a demanding character.
Murphy’s Extraordinary Transformation
As the cast has now moved on from the filming of Oppenheimer, it’s clear that Murphy’s intense focus on his character was both an extraordinary commitment and a personal journey. His transformation into one of the most iconic figures of the 20th century—J. Robert Oppenheimer—was not just a professional feat but a personal one as well.