'I couldn’t be happier': Cillian Murphy reacts to his Bafta nomination for Oppenheimer
Cillian Murphy. Picture: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy has paid tribute to director Christopher Nolan after the film was nominated for 13 Baftas.
The Cork star, who plays J Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist described as the father of the atomic bomb, in the epic biopic, is nominated for the leading actor prize.
His co-stars Emily Blunt and Robert Downey Jr are also nominated in supporting categories, while Nolan is nominated for his directing and his screenplay.
Murphy said: “I couldn’t be happier that the British Academy recognised so many of my collaborators on Oppenheimer, especially Chris Nolan.
“Working on the film was an experience I’ll never forget.”
Rosamund Pike said it is “bliss bliss bliss” to be nominated for the best supporting actress for Saltburn. Her co-star, Dublin actor Barry Keoghan was also nominated for leading actor.
The actress plays the mother of a wealthy Oxford student who invites a less privileged friend, played by Keoghan, back to his family estate for the summer in the film, which has become a viral sensation.
She said: “It’s something uniquely special to be nominated for a Bafta.
“It happened once before. I thought realistically it might never happen again.
“I am proud to be nominated in this group of varied and powerful supporting actresses.
“And overjoyed that Jacob and Barry and our mad special film got recognition. Bliss Bliss Bliss.”
Gothic fairytale Poor Things is nominated for 11 Baftas, including a nod for star Emma Stone, who is also a producer.
A statement from Stone, director Yorgos Lanthimos and their fellow producers Ed Lowe and Andrew Guiney, said: “We are delighted with this recognition from Bafta for our amazing cast and creative team on Poor Things based on Alasdair Gray’s iconic novel.
“It’s particularly gratifying that Bafta has recognised the work of our many talented UK-based heads of department across cinematography, costume design, makeup and hair, original score, production design and special visual effects.
“We are also very grateful to our financiers, Film4 who helped us develop the film, Searchlight Pictures who have put it out into the world so brilliantly and to the team at Element who have contributed so much at every step of the way.”
Poor Things is produced by Dublin-based Element Pictures, and Irish cinematographer Robbie Ryan was nominated for his work on the film.
"We are delighted with these nominations from Bafta, which build on the recent success of the film at the Golden Globes, and recognise the amazing work of our incredible cast, led By Emma Stone, our brilliant screenwriter Tony McNamara and the artistry and talent of our amazing heads of department," said Element Pictures producers Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe, who also paid tribute to "our brilliant Element Pictures colleagues in Dublin and London who have been integral to the development and production of the film."
