Cillian Murphy's Viral Moments: From Zombie Doppelgänger to ROMO Philosophy

Cillian Murphy BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.

This was a major week for Oscar winner Cillian Murphy, who has been at the center of several high-profile headlines and public appearances. On September 8th, Murphy appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, sharing the spotlight with Lady Gaga and Will Ferrell, offering viewers rare late-night banter and a bit of his signature dry wit, according to CBS and Paramount Plus. He was promoting his latest film, Steve, a psychological drama in which he plays the headteacher at a reform school, a performance that has already generated strong critical buzz following its world premiere earlier this month. The Independent praised Steve as a thoughtful and impassioned film, while The Observer highlighted Murphy’s character as one hiding hidden pain behind a calm exterior. The film is set for a limited cinema release on September 19 and lands on Netflix globally October 3.

Murphy made headlines across social media after fans speculated he’d reprise his classic role as Jim in the new 28 Years Later trailer, riffing off outrageously convincing glimpses of a gaunt zombie that many mistook for him. IGN and Gizmodo both reported that Murphy finally responded to the viral theory: apparently, it was his own son who alerted the “chronically offline” actor about his likeness to the emaciated infected. Murphy called the comparison “flattering” and complimented newcomer Angus Neill, who was actually cast by director Danny Boyle to play the zombie, debunking the rampant speculation that Cillian himself had made a surprise cameo.

Industry chatter has also been swirling around Murphy’s absence from Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. Asked by Variety and The Independent if he felt left out of Nolan’s upcoming Homeric epic starring Matt Damon and Tom Holland, Murphy shrugged it off with wit, coining a new phrase, “ROMO: Relief of Missing Out.” He said he’s excited to see Nolan’s adaptation but not at all wistful, noting his long creative history with the director—the two won Oscars together for Oppenheimer—and expressing nothing but support.

As for future projects, The Observer and The Independent confirm Murphy has wrapped filming on the much-anticipated Peaky Blinders movie, The Immortal Man. Though mum on plot details, Murphy acknowledged that reprising Tommy Shelby was strange after so many years, but he felt a duty to the series’ global fanbase. The Peaky Blinders film aims to serve as a bookend for the beloved franchise, and according to creator Steven Knight, fans can expect “something completely phenomenal.”

Social media has been awash with clips of Murphy’s interviews, with his ROMO remark, Colbert appearance, and Steve promotion trending particularly strongly. No significant business ventures or controversies have emerged this week, but the confluence of premieres, interviews, and fandom activity have secured Murphy his top-tier status in both entertainment headlines and popular imagination.

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