As far as the director was concerned there was only one person for the job – a slender Irishman with ice-blue eyes and a penchant for throwing himself into every role he’s had with single-minded focus.
And has it ever paid off. Cillian Murphy has been the runaway star of this year’s award season, pocketing every best actor gong going – including the big daddy of them all, the Oscar.
“I’m a very proud Irishman standing here tonight,” said Cillian, who was also the first Irishman to win a best actor Oscar.