The search for Bruce Wayne in Christopher Nolan's "Batman Begins" was a lengthy and strenuous ordeal. The director, alongside Warner Bros., looked far and wide to bring the perfect actor to bring the gritty and serious interpretation of Batman to life. Before landing on Bale, the director conducted several screen tests, giving several performers, including Cillian Murphy, the opportunity to try out the role. While speaking with Entertainment Weekly to promote "Oppenheimer," Nolan and Murphy reflected on the actor's initial screen test. "I felt an immediate connection," Nolan said about his first encounter with Murphy. "I felt like, this is somebody that I want to work with, somebody who has an interesting take on things creatively."
While Nolan was intrigued by Murphy as an actor, the "Oppenheimer" star knew that the DC gig wasn't his. "It was clear to me from the beginning that I wasn't Batman material," Murphy admitted, adding that it was "correct and right" for Christian Bale to get the role. Nolan agreed with Murphy's sentiments, saying, "When we had our first conversation I think both of us knew that you weren't going to wind up playing Batman."
Nolan, as brilliant as ever, had an idea up his sleeve. The director decided to push forward with a screentest for Murphy, hoping that studio executives would take note of his talents. Once executives were sold on Murphy's performance, Nolan pivoted, suggesting he take on the role of Scarecrow. While Murphy didn't get the role of Batman, it's clear that Bale getting the role was truly meant to be. After all, Murphy became a favorite of Nolan's, appearing in several of his films following his "Batman Begins" performance.
