Why Cillian Murphy felt relief, not regret, over missing Nolan's The Odyssey
Actor Cillian Murphy said he felt 'relief' about not joining Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. He called the absence a gift because it let him watch the film purely as an audience member.
While many actors would have jumped at the chance to work with Christopher Nolan for The Odyssey, actor Cillian Murphy says he has no regrets about sitting this one out. The Oscar-winning actor recently revealed that, instead of experiencing FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), he felt what he jokingly called "ROMO" — the Relief of Missing Out.
Speaking during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in September 2025, Murphy explained that not being part of The Odyssey was actually a "gift." Having collaborated with Nolan on six films, including The Dark Knight (2008), Dunkirk (2017) and the Oscar-winning Oppenheimer (2023), the 50-year-old Irish actor said he was happy to enjoy the filmmaker's latest epic purely as a member of the audience.
When host Stephen Colbert pointed out that Murphy wasn't part of The Odyssey and recalled his "ROMO" remark, the actor elaborated on what he meant. "I guess it's the opposite of FOMO. What I meant to say was that it is a real gift to go and see Chris' films and watch them without having the terrible burden of looking at my own stupid head. You know what I mean?"
Nolan's impact on Murphy's career
Despite joking that he prefers watching Nolan's films without seeing himself on screen, Murphy acknowledged the filmmaker's significant influence on his career. Their long-standing collaboration began with Batman Begins (2005), in which he portrayed Dr Jonathan Crane, better known as Scarecrow.
He reprised the role in The Dark Knight (2008) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012). In between, Murphy appeared as Robert Fischer in Inception (2010), before taking on the role of the Shivering Soldier in Dunkirk (2017).
The actor's most celebrated collaboration with Nolan came in Oppenheimer (2023), where he played physicist J Robert Oppenheimer. His performance earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor, marking the pinnacle of his creative partnership with the acclaimed filmmaker.
About the Odyssey
The film that release in theatres on July 17, has emerged as one of the biggest Hollywood openers in India. According to early estimates by trade website Sacnilk, The Odyssey grossed Rs 20.76 crore on its opening day in India, while its nett collection stood at Rs 17.40 crore. The film played across 8,413 shows nationwide and recorded an overall occupancy of 48.7 per cent, driven largely by robust demand for premium formats, especially IMAX screenings.
Directed by Christopher Nolan, the mythological epic stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, with Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya and Robert Pattinson in pivotal roles. Adapted from Homer's timeless epic, the film chronicles Odysseus' arduous decade-long journey back to Ithaca following the fall of Troy. The film also marks Nolan's first directorial outing since the Oscar-winning success of Oppenheimer (2023).
While many actors would have jumped at the chance to work with Christopher Nolan for The Odyssey, actor Cillian Murphy says he has no regrets about sitting this one out. The Oscar-winning actor recently revealed that, instead of experiencing FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), he felt what he jokingly called "ROMO" — the Relief of Missing Out.
Speaking during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in September 2025, Murphy explained that not being part of The Odyssey was actually a "gift." Having collaborated with Nolan on six films, including The Dark Knight (2008), Dunkirk (2017) and the Oscar-winning Oppenheimer (2023), the 50-year-old Irish actor said he was happy to enjoy the filmmaker's latest epic purely as a member of the audience.
When host Stephen Colbert pointed out that Murphy wasn't part of The Odyssey and recalled his "ROMO" remark, the actor elaborated on what he meant. "I guess it's the opposite of FOMO. What I meant to say was that it is a real gift to go and see Chris' films and watch them without having the terrible burden of looking at my own stupid head. You know what I mean?"
Nolan's impact on Murphy's career
Despite joking that he prefers watching Nolan's films without seeing himself on screen, Murphy acknowledged the filmmaker's significant influence on his career. Their long-standing collaboration began with Batman Begins (2005), in which he portrayed Dr Jonathan Crane, better known as Scarecrow.
He reprised the role in The Dark Knight (2008) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012). In between, Murphy appeared as Robert Fischer in Inception (2010), before taking on the role of the Shivering Soldier in Dunkirk (2017).
The actor's most celebrated collaboration with Nolan came in Oppenheimer (2023), where he played physicist J Robert Oppenheimer. His performance earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor, marking the pinnacle of his creative partnership with the acclaimed filmmaker.
About the Odyssey
The film that release in theatres on July 17, has emerged as one of the biggest Hollywood openers in India. According to early estimates by trade website Sacnilk, The Odyssey grossed Rs 20.76 crore on its opening day in India, while its nett collection stood at Rs 17.40 crore. The film played across 8,413 shows nationwide and recorded an overall occupancy of 48.7 per cent, driven largely by robust demand for premium formats, especially IMAX screenings.
Directed by Christopher Nolan, the mythological epic stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, with Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya and Robert Pattinson in pivotal roles. Adapted from Homer's timeless epic, the film chronicles Odysseus' arduous decade-long journey back to Ithaca following the fall of Troy. The film also marks Nolan's first directorial outing since the Oscar-winning success of Oppenheimer (2023).
While many actors would have jumped at the chance to work with Christopher Nolan for The Odyssey, actor Cillian Murphy says he has no regrets about sitting this one out. The Oscar-winning actor recently revealed that, instead of experiencing FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), he felt what he jokingly called "ROMO" — the Relief of Missing Out.
Speaking during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in September 2025, Murphy explained that not being part of The Odyssey was actually a "gift." Having collaborated with Nolan on six films, including The Dark Knight (2008), Dunkirk (2017) and the Oscar-winning Oppenheimer (2023), the 50-year-old Irish actor said he was happy to enjoy the filmmaker's latest epic purely as a member of the audience.
When host Stephen Colbert pointed out that Murphy wasn't part of The Odyssey and recalled his "ROMO" remark, the actor elaborated on what he meant. "I guess it's the opposite of FOMO. What I meant to say was that it is a real gift to go and see Chris' films and watch them without having the terrible burden of looking at my own stupid head. You know what I mean?"
Nolan's impact on Murphy's career
Despite joking that he prefers watching Nolan's films without seeing himself on screen, Murphy acknowledged the filmmaker's significant influence on his career. Their long-standing collaboration began with Batman Begins (2005), in which he portrayed Dr Jonathan Crane, better known as Scarecrow.
He reprised the role in The Dark Knight (2008) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012). In between, Murphy appeared as Robert Fischer in Inception (2010), before taking on the role of the Shivering Soldier in Dunkirk (2017).
The actor's most celebrated collaboration with Nolan came in Oppenheimer (2023), where he played physicist J Robert Oppenheimer. His performance earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor, marking the pinnacle of his creative partnership with the acclaimed filmmaker.
About the Odyssey
The film that release in theatres on July 17, has emerged as one of the biggest Hollywood openers in India. According to early estimates by trade website Sacnilk, The Odyssey grossed Rs 20.76 crore on its opening day in India, while its nett collection stood at Rs 17.40 crore. The film played across 8,413 shows nationwide and recorded an overall occupancy of 48.7 per cent, driven largely by robust demand for premium formats, especially IMAX screenings.
Directed by Christopher Nolan, the mythological epic stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, with Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya and Robert Pattinson in pivotal roles. Adapted from Homer's timeless epic, the film chronicles Odysseus' arduous decade-long journey back to Ithaca following the fall of Troy. The film also marks Nolan's first directorial outing since the Oscar-winning success of Oppenheimer (2023).
