Forget Oppenheimer, Cillian Murphy’s New Historical Drama Is Already in Development

Summary:

• The Oppenheimer star is going to play the leading role in a new historical drama set in Pennsylvania's mines in the 1960s.
• It’ll be based on Mark A. Bradley’s book, which follows the outstanding story of the United Mine Workers’ activist, Joseph Yablonski, including his tragic murder.

Soon after receiving an Academy Award, the accomplished Cillian Murphy is again busy with the new epic Universal Pictures project. The role of the father of the atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer, has become a perfect ground to play other strong personalities, whose image is invaluably important to history. He is planning to continue this tendency by portraying the leading character in the movie adaptation of Blood Runs Coal.

Based on Mark A. Bradley’s Blood Runs Coal: The Yablonski Murders and the Battle for the United Mine Workers of America, Universal’s film is set in the mines of Pennsylvania in the 1960s. Following the story of the United Mine Workers union’s activist, Joseph “Jock” Yablonski, who fought for better safety and proper working conditions for miners, it’ll feature the leader’s challenging path and tragic death.

The truth is that in 1969 Yablonski was killed by the order of the union’s president, Tony Boyle, whom he bravely accused of corruption and criminal negligence. The activist’s family was murdered too, as they gathered for New Year’s Eve, except for his son, Joseph “Chip” Yablonski, who then put his life on the line to get justice for his father.

Who Will Cillian Murphy Play in Blood Runs Coal?

According to Deadline, Murphy is going to portray Chip, who eventually managed to put Boyle to prison and convict him of the murder of Jock Yablonski, his wife and daughter in 1974. The role of the son fighting for his audacious father in honor of his achievements in improving the miners’ working conditions and health seems to be perfect for the actor, who incredibly fits in historical dramas.

Murphy is also reported to be involved as a producer of Blood Runs Coal. As for those who will adapt Bradley’s book, it is handed over to the acclaimed brothers Jez and John-Henry Butterworth (Ford v Ferrari, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny), who also won Writers Guild of America's Award for their film Fair Game (2010).

The Oppenheimer actor now has a number of the anticipated upcoming projects, including Netflix ’s Steve, another historical drama titled Small Things Like These and, what we’re waiting for the most, a highly-anticipated movie continuation of the Peaky Blinders series. Besides, Murphy was reported to produce the sequel of 28 Days Later, maybe reprising his 2002 role in zombie horror too, which is not confirmed yet.

As we’re all looking forward to the new actor’s movies, it’ll be a pleasure to rewatch his Oscar-winning performance in Oppenheimer, which is available on Prime.

Source: Deadline