Cillian Murphy, the acclaimed actor from 'Oppenheimer,' has voiced his thoughts on Hollywood film press tours, describing them as a "broken model" in a recent interview with GQ for their March 2024 issue. The actor, nominated for Best Actor at the upcoming Oscars for his role in Christopher Nolan's film, expressed his belief that traditional junkets and red-carpet interviews are outdated and fail to engage both the audience and the actors themselves.
Murphy highlighted the monotony of the existing press tour system, stating, "The model is—everybody is so bored." He pointed out that the SAG-AFTRA strike provided a silver lining by halting press tours, allowing films like 'Oppenheimer' and 'Barbie' to succeed at the box office without the usual promotional activities.
Drawing parallels to his experience with "Peaky Blinders," Murphy noted the show's initial success without extensive advertising during its first three seasons. He quoted Joanne Woodward's perspective on acting, saying, "Acting is like sex—do it, don’t talk about it," emphasizing the need for a shift in focus from personal inquiries to discussions about the craft and artistry.
Murphy expressed his discomfort with questions like "Tell me about yourself," emphasizing his preference for conversations centered around work and art rather than personal details. He debunked misconceptions about being a difficult interviewee, clarifying that he enjoys discussing his work and artistic pursuits.
Additionally, Murphy revealed his tendency to avoid watching his own films, especially those he hears are not well-received. He candidly shared his view on the 2005 thriller "Red Eye," acknowledging it as a good B movie despite it not being among his favorites. Despite his reservations about certain projects, Murphy's commitment to the art of acting and a desire for meaningful conversations within the industry highlight the need for a reimagined approach to film promotion in Hollywood.
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