Small Things Like These: Cillian Murphy to star in and produce an adaptation of Claire Keegan’s acclaimed novel

Some disturbing memories will come to light when Cillian Murphy joins the production of Small Things Like These, an upcoming project based on Claire Keegan’s acclaimed novel. Murphy is boarding his next endeavor after completing work on Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, which goes off in theaters on July 21, 2023. In addition to his starring role, Murphy will produce Small Things Like These, with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s Artists Equity financing the project.

Ciaran Hinds and Emily Watson also star in the Dickens-like adaptation, with Tim Mielants directing. The story for Small Things Like These takes place in 1985 in a small Irish town. During the weeks leading up to Christmas, Bill Furlong (Murphy), a coal merchant and family man, faces his busiest season. Early one morning, while delivering an order to the local convent, Bill makes a discovery that forces him to confront his past and the complicit silences of a town controlled by the church.

“I’m honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to bring Claire Keegan’s magnificent novel to the screen. We have gathered together a phenomenal team of creatives to make this film, and found exceptional partners in AE, a studio led by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck — actors and filmmakers I have admired for many years,” said Murphy, who is excited to reunite with Mielants after collaborating for Peaky Blinders.

Murphy and producer Alan Moloney commissioned the script from Enda Walsh. Big Things Films is producing for the studio’s first feature, with Matt Damon and Drew Vinton producing for Artists Equity. Ben Affleck, Kevin Halloran, and Michael Joe executive produce, with Jeff Robinov producing.

Murphy’s next blockbuster release is Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. The film is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and the late Martin J. Sherwin. In addition to directing the feature, Nolan will write the script and produce alongside Emma Thomas and Atlas Entertainment’s Charles Roven. Oppenheimer stars Murphy as the theoretical physicist who helped to develop the A-bomb during World War II.

Joining Murphy for Nolan’s next opus are Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, Jack Quaid, Alden Ehrenreich, Gary Oldman, David Dastmalchian, Rami Malek, Kenneth Branagh, Gustaf Skarsgård, Tony Goldwyn, Olivia Thrilby, Casey Affleck, Alex Wolff, and Mattias Schweighöfer.

Have you read Small Things Like These? Will the plot translate well to the film? Murphy is an actor who tends to elevate any project he’s a part of, and we’re looking forward to learning more about this project as it comes together.