Cillian Murphy to Star in Mining Drama ‘Blood Runs Coal’ for Universal

Cillian Murphy is once again mining the non-fiction space for his work. After winning a best actor Oscar for Oppenheimer, the actor is attached to star in and produce Blood Runs Coal, an adaptation of the non-fiction book that Universal has acquired.

The project is based on the 2020 book Blood Runs Coal: The Yablonski Murders and the Battle for the United Mine Workers of America. Author Mark A. Bradley’s book follows the 1969 murder of mining union organizer Joseph “Jock” Yablonski, who was killed at home with his wife and daughter. The killings followed Yablonski campaigning against a corrupt union leader, and sparked a lengthy investigation that unveiled shady dealings within the coal industry.

John Davis and Jordan Davis will produce via Davis Entertainment. Murphy and Alan Moloney will produce via Big Things Films. Bradley will executive produce.

Murphy is busier than ever following his leading role in Oppenheimer as J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb. He is attached to work on a sequel trilogy to 28 Days Later, the 2002 zombie feature that launched his career, and also has a Peaky Blinders movie in the works to follow his long-running period gangster TV series. Murphy is repped by CAA, Lou Coulson Associates, David Weber/Sloane Offer.

Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth will adapt the script for Blood Runs Coal. The duo worked on Edge of Tomorrow, while Jez Butterworth is also known for James Bond film Spectre and Ford V Ferrari, and John-Henry Butterworth’s credits include Get On Up and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. The Butterworths are repped by CAA and Alan Wertheimer at Jackoway Austen.