After years of speculation, the Peaky Blinders movie is finally on its way. But there’s one thing creator Steven Knight is adamant about—he wants fans to experience it in a theater.
The upcoming feature film, which serves as a continuation of the hit Netflix series, has wrapped filming, marking the next chapter in the saga of the Shelby family. While Netflix remains the primary distributor, Knight is pushing for a theatrical release, insisting that the film’s grandeur deserves to be seen on the big screen.
His reason? The Peaky Blinders fandom.
Why Steven Knight Wants a Theatrical Release
For years, Peaky Blinders commanded a global audience, drawing millions into the gritty, crime-ridden world of 1900s Birmingham. The series ran for six seasons from 2013 to 2022, cementing Cillian Murphy’s Tommy Shelby as one of television’s most iconic antiheroes.
But according to Knight, the story isn’t over.
In a recent interview with The Playlist, Knight confirmed that production on the Peaky Blinders movie wrapped on December 13, 2024. The film, set to star Cillian Murphy alongside Barry Keoghan, Tim Roth, Rebecca Ferguson, and Stephen Graham, is already generating immense buzz.
“I have to say, it is mind-blowingly good,” Knight declared.
But while Netflix is expected to release the film as part of its content lineup, Knight insists that the experience of watching Peaky Blinders should be communal.
“I really want the Peaky fans, who have been a big part of this, to be watching it all together in one building,” he said. “The communication has all been virtual, but I do want this to be in cinemas so that people can sit there together and watch this thing happen.”
A sentiment that echoes the way Peaky Blinders has been consumed over the years—an experience best shared with others.
What We Know About the Movie So Far
Though plot details remain scarce, the film is being described as a continuation, rather than a reboot or spinoff.
Tom Harper, who previously worked on the series, steps in as the film’s director, while Steven Knight once again pens the screenplay. Given the talent attached, expectations are understandably high.
Most importantly, Cillian Murphy will reprise his role as Tommy Shelby.
Murphy, fresh off his Oscar win for Oppenheimer, has always been vocal about his attachment to the character.
“I have always said that if Knight delivers a script that I know he can deliver, because he is such a phenomenal writer, I’ll be there,” Murphy previously told BBC Desert Island Discs. “If we want to watch 50-year-old Tommy Shelby, let’s do it.”
Despite Tommy Shelby’s seemingly definitive arc at the end of the series, the Peaky Blinders universe has always thrived on reinvention. And with Knight once again at the helm, it’s clear that there’s more of the Shelby story left to tell.
Will Netflix Agree to a Theatrical Release?
The biggest question now is whether Netflix will entertain the idea of a full-scale theatrical run.
Traditionally, the streaming giant has been reluctant to release its most popular titles in theatres, opting for limited releases at best. However, with Peaky Blinders maintaining a cult-like following, there could be enough demand for an exception.
The recent success of films like Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and The Irishman, both of which had brief runs in theatres before hitting Netflix, suggests that a hybrid release model isn’t out of the question.
And with cinemas rebounding after the pandemic, Knight’s vision of a full-fledged Peaky Blinders theatrical event isn’t entirely unrealistic.
What’s Next for the Peaky Blinders Universe?
While the film promises to tie up loose ends from the series, Steven Knight has hinted that this might not be the end of the road for the Peaky Blinders universe.
“As long as there’s an appetite for it and I’ve got stories to tell, then why not?” Knight teased.
With the continued success of period crime dramas, the Peaky Blinders brand remains strong. There have been whispers of potential spin-offs, prequels, or even a series set in a different era.
For now, though, all eyes are on the movie.
And if Knight gets his way, fans will be watching their favorite crime family return to the big screen in all their cinematic glory.
Final Thoughts: A Fitting Finale or A New Beginning?
Whether the movie serves as a final send-off or the launching pad for more Peaky Blinders projects, one thing is certain—Tommy Shelby’s story isn’t over yet.
For fans who have been with the Shelbys since the beginning, the opportunity to watch the family’s next chapter unfold in theatres would be a dream come true.
Now, it’s up to Netflix to decide if that dream becomes reality.
Will we see Peaky Blinders on the big screen? Only time will tell.
Source: Hollywood Reporter