Cillian Murphy drops hint about whether he and Tom Hardy will appear in Peaky Blinders film

Cillian Murphy has been discussing whether he could star in the upcoming Peaky Blinders movie.

The Irish actor has been in the news recently following the release of Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster Oppenheimer, which has received rave reviews since opening at cinemas last Friday.

Murphy’s lead performance as the theoretical physicist who invented the atomic bomb, in particular, has been highly praised. And Murphy, who of course plays Tommy Shelby in the hit BBC gangster show, has now hinted that he will appear in the Steven Knight’s new Peaky Blinders film.

The Peaky Blinders movie is due to go into production some time this year, according to Knight. Knight has confirmed that the script is now finished, with production expected to begin in early next year, and a potential release date in Spring 2024. He also told the BBC: “We’re going to start shooting that early next year in Digbeth in Birmingham on location and in the studio. We should have that ready for Spring 2024.”

Although the ending of the Peaky Blinders series in 2022 left the door open for Murphy’s character Shelby to appear in the follow-up film, it’s been uncertain whether Cillian will be in the movie.

But in a new interview with British GQ, the 47-year-old has now hinted that he will make an appearance in the new film, and so could his co-star Tom Hardy. When asked if he has any plans to work with Hardy again, Murphy replied: “He’s one of the best actors in the business. And we’ve developed this great trust and shorthand and there’s a nice kind of chemistry, I think, between the two of us.

“I’d love to work with him again. Maybe there’ll be a Peaky Blinders film. Maybe we’ll get to do it there. I’m not sure.” Although Murphy did go on to say he had no update about the new film.

What will the film be about and who will be in it?

Previously, Knight touched on the plot for the movie, revealing plans for the film to be set during the second World War. He said: “Peaky – in this incarnation – comes to an end,” Knight said about series six. “But we’re doing a film which will also carry on the family and the stories into the Second World War.”

In a recent interview with Esquire, he added: “The film, I know exactly what it’s about. And I know what two stories it’s going to tell. How the story will unfold, I don’t know. What will happen after that, I want that to depend on the film. For all we know somebody is going to pop out – I think I know who it’s going to be.”

During the interview, Knight also hinted at who will be in the movie, saying: “In series six we’re bringing in the new generation, and they are going to be part of what happens in the film. I think it’s finding those actors that you just watch and you think, there you go. There’s the future.”

Liverpudlian actor Stephen Graham has made his Peaky Blinders debut in series 6, as has Amber Anderson who plays Lady Diana Mitford, and James Frecheville who stars as Jack Nelson - meaning all three could feature in the film based on Knight’s comments.