Info in Movie News | Big news for horror fans, Cillian Murphy is finally coming back to the 28 Days Later universe, but not as soon as you might hope. While many were expecting to see Murphy reprise his role as Jim in 28 Years Later, the actor will actually return in its sequel, The Bone Temple, which is set for release in January 2026.
According to Variety, director Danny Boyle confirmed that Murphy won't appear in the first film of the new trilogy, but will show up toward the end of The Bone Temple. “He is in the second one,” Boyle told IGN, adding jokingly, “I shouldn’t give away too much. I’ll get killed.” It’s a small tease, but enough to send fans into speculation overdrive.
Boyle and longtime collaborator Alex Garland have big plans. 28 Years Later is meant to kick off a brand-new trilogy, building on the legacy of the 2002 original. While each film is designed to stand on its own, there will be narrative threads connecting them. Cillian Murphy’s return as Jim is expected to be one of those key links, especially if the franchise moves forward to a third installment.
Right now, though, the third film hasn’t been funded. “We haven’t got the money for the third one yet,” Boyle said in an interview with Business Insider. “It will depend on how the first one does, I guess. But hopefully if we do okay, they’ll give us the go-ahead.” Murphy is also involved as an executive producer, and Boyle hinted that his presence could help attract financial backing. “You promise them Cillian Murphy, that’s quite a deflection of any technical concerns,” he added with a grin.
Murphy’s character Jim became a cult favorite after 28 Days Later, which saw him wake up in a hospital to a deserted and infected London. Alongside Selena (Naomie Harris) and Hannah (Megan Burns), he managed to survive both zombies and the darker side of humanity. But after that final rescue scene, Jim never returned, until now.
The new trilogy kicks off with 28 Years Later, starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes. These actors are confirmed to return in The Bone Temple, and both films were shot back-to-back, showing just how committed the studio is to reviving the franchise.
Although Murphy doesn’t appear in the trailer for 28 Years Later, fans were quick to speculate when they saw a mysterious figure in one scene. Spoiler, it’s not him. That role belongs to art dealer and acting newcomer Angus Neill.
So while Cillian Murphy fans will have to wait a bit longer, the good news is that Jim is officially part of the plan. And if things go well at the box office, the trilogy could close with Murphy once again at the center of the chaos, just like old times.
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