Cillian Murphy says he'd play a Ken in 'Barbie' sequel

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By James Kay

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Movie lovers are flocking to the cinema to see Barbie and Oppenheimer, and according to Cillian Murphy, he's more than up for making a jump to the pink side of town.

Movie theaters have seen the largest influx of customers since the days of The Avengers, and it's all thanks to two films that could not be more different.

Oppenheimer follows the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer and his creation of the first atomic bomb, while Barbie sees the title character step out of Barbieland and into reality.

In other words, one is pink and fun, and the other is literally in black and white for some scenes.

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Cillian Murphy plays the title role in Oppenheimer. Credit: Samir Hussein/Getty

Cillian Murphy, 47, plays the title role in Oppenheimer but appears to be up for a Barbie sequel should one ever come around.

Speaking to Cinéfilos and cited by PEOPLE, Murphy confidently said: "Would I play a Ken in Barbie 2? Sure. Let's read the script and let's have a conversation."

Adding further thoughts on Barbie, the Peaky Blinders actor said: "I can't wait to see it. Can't wait to see the movie. I think it's great for cinema. You know, you've got all these great movies happening this summer."

Barbie is a far cry from Oppenheimer, which, according to the director Christopher Nolan, has left some audience members "absolutely devastated" and unable to speak.

Speaking to Wired, Nolan said: "Some people leave the movie absolutely devastated. They can't speak. I mean, there's an element of fear that's there in the history and there in the underpinnings. But the love of the characters, the love of the relationships, is as strong as I've ever done.

"Oppenheimer's story is all impossible questions. Impossible ethical dilemmas, paradox," Nolan continued. "There are no easy answers in his story. There are just difficult questions, and that's what makes the story so compelling.

"I think we were able to find a lot of things to be optimistic about in the film, genuinely, but there's this sort of overriding bigger question that hangs over it. It felt essential that there be questions at the end that you leave rattling in people's brains, and prompting discussion," he added.

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The Irish actor (second right) said he would be open to playing Ken in a Barbie sequel. Credit: Samir Hussein/Getty

Murphy recently sat down with The Sydney Morning Herald where he commended his co-star Florence Pugh, who plays Oppenheimer's ex-fianceé Jean Tatlock, and spoke about their "powerful" sex scenes.

"Those scenes were written deliberately," Murphy said. "[Nolan] knew that those scenes would get the movie the rating that it got. And I think when you see it, it’s so f***ing powerful. And they’re not gratuitous. They’re perfect."

Both Barbie and Oppenheimer are playing at cinemas right now.

Featured image credit: Samir Hussein/Getty