Cillian Murphyis fresh off hisfirst Academy Awardfor his performance in Universal Pictures’Oppenheimer— and he isn’t done with starring roles for the studio just yet. The actor is attached to star in Universal’s adaptation of the bookBlood Runs Coal: The Yablonski Murders and the Battle for the United Mine Workers of America,according toDeadline. With Murphy now one of the most desired actors in Hollywood, it should come as no surprise that this adaptation was reportedly developed as a starring & producing vehicle for him.
Based on the book of the same name byMark A. Bradley,Blood Runs Coaltells the story of Pennsylvania coal miners in the 1960s and one of the most infamous union crimes in American history. The film will chronicle the life ofJock Yablonski, a labor leader of the United Mine Workers. Yablonski became known for championing better working conditions for coal miners. After a union election in which he accused his opponent of fraud, Yablonski, along with most of his family, was assassinated; his sonChip Yablonski,played by Murphy, then attempts to seek justice.
It should come as a given that Universal would want to stay in business with a star like Murphy; according to Deadline, thestudio acquired the rightstoBlood Runs Coaljust two days before he won his Academy Award. No director was announced, but the film comes from a script byJez ButterworthandJohn-Henry Butterworth. John DavisandJordan Daviswill produce the film for Davis Entertainment, while Murphy andAlan Moloneywill produce through their recently started production banner, Big Things Films. The book’s author, Bradley, will executive produce.
Cillian Murphy Has a Lot Going On at the Moment
BeyondBlood Runs Coal,Murphy has a number of other projects in the pipeline. While the actor has been headlining Hollywood productions for years, with roles in films likeBatman Begins, The Dark Knight, Dunkirk,A Quiet Place: Part II,and more, it seems that his Academy Award-winning turn playing the father of the atomic bomb has brought him to new heights. It was recently reported that Murphy willreprise his role as Tommy Shelbyin the upcomingPeaky Blindersfilm, marking his return to one of the most popular franchises in recent memory.
Murphy is also slated to star in the upcoming filmStevefor Netflix, where he will portray the head teacher of a reformation school. He is also starring in the upcoming historical dramaSmall Things Like These.Murphy will also be executive producing28 Years Later,the follow-up toDanny Boyle’s2002 post-apocalyptic film in which he starred. It is likely that Murphy will also be reprising his role as bike courier Jim from the film, though this has not been confirmed.
No release date forBlood Runs Coalwas announced, stay tuned at Collider for further updates.Oppenheimeris streaming now on Peacock.
Oppenheimer
The story of American scientist, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and his role in the development of the atomic bomb.
Watch on Peacock
