Cillian Murphy teams up with Robert De Niro and Sigourney Weaver in Rodrigo Cortes' thriller Red Lights - which is released on DVD and Blu-Ray tomorrow.
- What appealed to you about Red Lights?
I was very taken by the character and the subject matter, and I’d seen director Rodrigo Cortes’s previous films - particularly Buried, which struck me as an extraordinary achievement.
I was also drawn in by the other members cast involved. The whole package was very appealing, but I wouldn’t take a project just because of the director and the stars - you also have to look at the role itself and see what challenges it presents.
It needs to be something interesting, so it always starts with what’s on the page. Things that really challenge you aren’t always easy to come by but when they do come your way you should really push yourself.
- How did you relate to the character of Tom Buckley?
It’s a fascinating journey. In many ways it’s a film about obsession and that’s something that is endlessly fascinating to many people. I like the journey that Tom takes.
It’s quite an amazing journey and to convey that honestly and convincingly and still have the audience invest in him was the challenge.
- Can you be obsessive yourself?
I guess we can all be obsessive about things. Everything is so immediate nowadays that people have lost patience. We’re obsessed about knowing things immediately and [laughs] I’m familiar with that, yeah.
- Who are your role models?
Obviously De Niro and Pacino. Marlon Brando, Jimmy Dean... Then I guess later on it would be Johnny Depp, Sean Penn, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Brendan Gleeson... The list goes on and on.
- Is it true to say stardom doesn’t interest you, it’s the job itself?
I just want to serve the role. It should be about the work and not about the personality. If the personality becomes too big it impedes your ability to disappear into a role. That’s never what I’ve been about.
-Do you think there’s a need for those larger-than-life movie stars?
I guess so, but if you look at the A-listers at the top of their game in Hollywood nowadays - people like George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon - they’re actors who are working with really interesting directors and making really interesting films, not necessarily commercial blockbusters.
I think the industry is in a good place, at least at the top level.
- Do you watch yourself on screen?
I watch the final film when they screen it for the cast and crew and maybe again with an audience, but I don’t watch the footage when I’m working. Some actors like to watch their takes but not me.
- Are you Method in your approach?
I never take my work home with me, if that’s what you mean. If you’re doing a heavy movie it’s nice to have a light atmosphere on set.
Each man’s method is different. That term ‘Method acting’ has been overused and abused over the years. It’s whatever works for you.
- How do you fill the downtime during filming?
I try to nap, although I haven’t really mastered the art of that.
-Is there anything you have to have when you’re on location?
Music I guess. I like to have my iPod to hand. There’s lots of stuff I like listening to.
- Do you still write songs?
Yeah, but it’s just a hobby.
- Where does the inspiration come from?
[Laughs] Oh man, they’re so few and far between it’s not even worth a discussion.
- Do you wish you’d become a rock star?
No, I’m quite happy with how things have worked out for me.
- You manage to stay under the radar but is that tough in this day and age?
You’re judged by your behaviour and if you behave like a celebrity then you’ll be treated like one and if you don’t you won’t. I live a pretty normal life when I’m not working.
- Do you enjoy mixing up theatre and film work?
Each medium informs the other. You use different muscles and I love both.
- What are your favourite movies of all time?
Apart from The Shining it would be any of the Godfather movies. Any Scorsese movie - you can’t go wrong with those. And any of the great movies from the 70s. I’ve also been watching a lot of Buster Keaton recently.
That play I was talking about had a lot of physical comedy in it so I watched a lot of Buster Keaton. He was just a master at physical comedy and nobody could touch him really.
- What are your TV favourites?
I’m not a big TV guy, although there’s a lot of great work being done on TV at the moment and I will watch the box sets. But you won’t catch me watching Strictly Come Dancing.
- I can’t imagine you’d ever go on that show...
[Laughs] No, I wouldn’t.
- What’s a great day off for you?
I live in London and I love going to the theatre or to a gallery. It’s a great city to go out in.
- Can you move around without being recognised?
Oh yeah. I just get the tube and no one bothers me.
- What are your ambitions?
Just to keep on acting. I’ve more to prove to myself. I want to keep challenging myself. You’ve got to always be looking forward. You want to always be better and to hone your craft. Nostalgia is dangerous.
- Could you see yourself as a director some day?
Potentially but not for another decade or so. I’ve got a lot more to give as an actor before I get behind the camera.
Red Lights is released on DVD & Blu-Ray 22nd October
Tagged in Cillian Murphy