Jason Statham was almost the Tommy Shelby of Peaky Blinders instead of Cillian Murphy

The creator’s choice, Steven Knight, went first to the star of In Very Troubled Waters.

We can’t imagine anyone else under the Tommy Shelby cap. And yet, Cillian Murphy nearly lost the role of his life to the action movie superstar, Jason Statham.

This was revealed, in 2020 at Esquire Magazinethe creator Steven Knight. A casting anecdote that makes headlines as the two actors compete at the box office, Murphy starring inOppenheimer and Statham in In very troubled waters.

Ten years ago, Statham was in pole position to land the job and become the star of Peak Blinders : “I met them both in Los Angeles to talk about the role, details Knight. And at that time, my choice was clearly towards Jason Statham. One of the reasons was that physically Jason…he’s Jason!”

“When we meet Cillian Murphywe do not necessarily see Tommy, smiles Knight. But I was pretty stupid to see it like that.”

So what made the dad change his mind? Peaky Blinders ? “A bit later, Cillian Murphy texted me saying: ‘Remember I’m an actor…’ Which is absolutely true because it can transform. Cillian knows how to do it. If you meet him tomorrow on the street, you will see that he is a totally different person. (from Tommy Shelby).”

After six seasons broadcast between 2013 and 2022, Peaky Blinders must end with a film.

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