One of Britain's most versatile actors, Cillian Murphy makes each role his own, whether it's a post-apocalyptic hero, a supervillain, an orphaned transgender teen or an Irish revolutionary.
Dazed & Confused:
What were you like 20 years ago? Cillian Murphy: I was 15 so I was probably a bit of a cock: quite full of myself but completely insecure, confused and confident.
What inspired you to act?
I was always about music before acting, but that became a more important way of expressing myself. I saw a production of A Clockwork Orange when I was about 19 and that flipped a switch for me, it was a big moment.
What attracts you to a project?
It's a variety of things, but generally it's the word on the page. The script has to be interesting and exciting and the part has to be something I haven't done before. Those things are hard to find so you have to be patient. And that's one thing you do learn as you get older, you learn patience.
What does success mean to you?
Being proud of the work you've done, I suppose. Anybody that's creative has to be forward-thinking, and if you stop and get pleased with yourself you can stagnate pretty quickly. In this business you get to meet different people, observe them and be inspired so it can be very exciting.
How would you describe the experience of being featured in Dazed back in 2006? As a teenager it was such a bible of what was important and relevant, so it was great to be featured. Despite what's happened to magazines and the internet, it's always great to be involved.
Why did you choose Craig Roberts as your star of the future? I saw Submarine after I did a film with Craig in Barcelona and I thought he was phenomenal. It's great to see a gifted young actor who's such a great laugh. There are always brilliant actors around, but it should make you brave and hungry to continue to improve.
text LIMARA SALT
styling TRACEY NICHOLSON
hair CHRISTIAN EBERHARD at JULIAN WATSON
make-up AYAMI MISHIMURA at JULIAN WATSON
using MAC COSMETICS
styling assistant BEATRIZ DE COSSIO
jacket by EMPORIO ARMANI;
shirt by DRIES VAN NOTEN;
trousers by YVES SAINT LAURENT
