Christopher Nolan reflects on decision not to cast Cillian Murphy as Batman
nme.comChristopher Nolan has reflected on his decision not to cast Cillian Murphy as Batman in The Dark Knight trilogy.The director and actor — who have collaborated once again for the upcoming biopic Oppenheimer — recently discussed their long-time film partnership with Entertainment Weekly.Coming onto the subject of Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, Murphy admitted that he knew he wasn’t right for the part of Bruce Wayne/Batman, a role that ultimately went to Christian Bale.“It was clear to me from the beginning that I wasn’t Batman material,” said Murphy of screen testing for the role. “It felt to me that it was correct and right that it should be Christian Bale for that part.
But I remember the buzz of trying on the suit and being directed by you. Those tests were high production values.”While Nolan knew that Murphy wasn’t the right fit for Batman, he was keen for Warner Bros.
executives to witness the actor’s test screening, before ultimately convincing them that he should play the trilogy’s recurring villain Scarecrow.“When we had our first conversation I think both of us knew that you weren’t going to wind up playing Batman,” said the director. “But I really wanted to get on set with you, I wanted to get you on film.
We did those screen tests very elaborately, on 35mm, with a little set.“There was just an electric atmosphere in the crew when you started to perform.
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