Peaky Blinders film to begin production SOON with Cillian Murphy

Peaky Blinders fans, rejoice - not only has creator Steven Knight officially confirmed that a film is on the way, with Cillian Murphy reprising his role as Tommy Shelby for the big screen, but he has now teased that filming is set to begin this September.

Speaking to NME, Steven has not only confirming when production is set to begin, but he has even teased the film will be a "step up", with a bigger budget. With everything sorted for the upcoming movie, it's fair to say he's got us all excited by adding that Oscar-winning Cillian Murphy is "really up for it".

When asked for an update on how the upcoming Peaky Blinders film is getting on, Steven told the publication: "It’s gonna happen this September. I’m just doing the final polishes, which will continue up until the day before we start shooting. But we’re there. We’ve got everything sorted, we’ve got all the commitments we need, we are ready to go."

The show creator then added: "I think the film is gonna be a step up again, and it’s gonna be great that Peaky fans can meet in one place and watch it. The budget will be bigger, but also because we know we’re ending this chapter, we’re all going to try to do our best. Cillian Murphy is really up for it. So I can’t wait for it to start shooting.”

As if the news of a Peaky Blinders film wasn't exciting enough, fans rejoiced when it was revealed that starring actor Cillian Murphy would be reprising his infamous role of Tommy Shelby, with official confirmation of his return swirling earlier this year.

Speaking to Birmingham World at the premiere for his new show, This Town, in March 2024, Steven announced that Cillian would be returning. He added that filming would start in the Autumn 2024 in Birmingham.

He said: "He is definitely returning for it. We’re shooting it in September just down the road in Digbeth." Music to our ears!

Fans of the show were left with mixed emotions after the news that the sixth season would be the last series of the show. Although we were all left as hollow shells after the series wrapped with a dramatic feature-length episode, we were buoyed by the news that it won't be the last we hear from some of the characters - with a film officially on the way!

The original plan was to have a seventh series which would have taken place during World War Two - however this will now come to fruition in the form of a film conclusion. Although it's currently unclear how many of the characters we've come to love will be in the film, we do have an idea of when the film will begin production and what it will involve. Here's everything we know...

When is the Peaky Blinders film coming out?

The film does not yet have an official release date, but show creator Steven Knight has given us some clues here and there.

After previously confirming that production would start in Spring 2023, and that it might hit cinemas by Spring 2024, he later told Radio Times that filming was in fact on track to start in mid-2024. This would mean it's more likely we're looking at a 2025 release date, at least.

In January 2024 he said: "I’m just working on the final bits of it at the moment", continuing: "The plan is to start shooting that in the middle of 2024". Now, Steven has said that filming will begin in September 2024, which means we might expect a film in 2026.

Why did the seventh season become a film?

The show's creator Steven Knight revealed that due to production issues caused by COVID-19, things would play out slightly differently - the series would end with season six.

However, he confirmed at that time that the story would continue with a Peaky Blinders film: "Covid changed our plans. But I can say that my plan from the beginning was to end Peaky with a movie. That is what is going to happen", Steven told Deadline.

Will Cillian Murphy be in it?

According to Steven Knight, he will be! Although Cillian has stayed tight-lipped on the matter - despite being asked multiple times during the awards season in early 2024 - Steven has now confirmed that he will be reprising his role as Tommy.

In October 2022, lead actor Cillian Murphy told Digital Spy that he would always be keen to reprise his role as Tommy Shelby, and spoke about the script: "I’ve still not read it the script but that’s the plan, the plan is to make a film and to continue the story but in the cinematic world rather than on the television.

“The television part of the story is finished. If there are more stories to tell, I’m there - I just haven’t read it yet, but it’s close apparently."

Which characters will be in the Peaky Blinders film?

Although we don't know exactly what will happen in the Peaky Blinders film, Steven Knight spoke to Digital Spy to confirm that Tommy Shelby and his brother Arthur will be part of it. When asked if the pair would be part of the Peaky Blinders story beyond series six, he said: "It's impossible to say yet. But the film – yes."

Steven added: "There are so many people, so many great actors, that we are already, sort of, in conversation with for the film, and for whatever follows.

"But I think what we want to do is keep surprising people, and keep breaking new talent. Because it's all out there, and there is a sort of consistency – what we're doing is finding really good actors from a working-class sort of background, and telling that story. That's what we're trying to do."

He also commented on bringing some of the new faces from series six into the film: "In series six we're bringing in the new generation, and they are going to be part of what happens in the film."

He has since commented: "I’m really interested in Duke, I’m really interested in Isiah and just watching a new generation come through but with the older generation still there."

As well as this, Conrad Khan, who plays Duke Shelby, has spoken out about what might come next for his character. Speaking to Digital Spy, he said: "I think he wants to remain anonymous because he doesn't want to be put in those... vulnerable situations where you're forced to do something in the name of the family.

"He's found the stables. He's with Curly and a couple of horses. I think he's quite happy with that."

As it looks like Duke is now next in line to take over from Tommy, Conrad also opened up about how Duke might get involved with the dark side of the family business: "Maybe it's not going out, and killing people… because, Duke's explained to him that he doesn't want to do that. Maybe the kind of darkness that Tommy sees in himself – he probably sees that in his son, Duke.

"Tommy's having to put all these parameters in place for when he becomes eventually incapable of leading the family in the way he used to."

Speaking to Deadline, Steven has also confirmed that the likes of Oswald Mosley will also be in the upcoming film.

What will happen in the Peaky Blinders film?

Steven also spoke about the plot line for the film: "We're going to make a film – a feature film – which will move the world on, and then once we've moved the world on into the Second World, we'll see where that takes us.

"It's now a situation where the world… you know, around the world, the Peaky world, it's got so much energy, and so much following, and such a huge fanbase, that you think: 'Well, let's just carry on.' So we do."

In another update from the show creator, he teased to Radio Times that the film will be the "same" Peaky Blinders that we know "but different" and suggested fans "expect the unexpected".

Check out some of the biggest films of 2024 and what's to come:

It's safe to say viewers were pretty gutted at the news that the sixth season would be the last, but fans are full of excitement to watch some of the characters in action again in the upcoming film.

We can't wait to see what happens next!

Read more:

Peaky Blinders cast: Find out who plays your favourites in the TV show

Peaky Blinders viewers left in tears at 'Aunt Polly' reference

Cillian Murphy reveals how he got into character to play Tommy Shelby

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