Cillian Murphy Confirmed to Return in '28 Years Later' Trilogy
Though his return will come later than expected.
Summary
- Director Danny Boyle has confirmed that Cillian Murphy will return to his role as Jim in the 28 Days Later franchise
- Specifically, Murphy will appear in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the second film of the new trilogy
- The first film, 28 Years Later premieres on June 20, 2025, followed by The Bone Temple on January 16, 2026
Great news for fans of the iconic 28 Days Later zombie franchise. Director Danny Boyle has officially confirmed that Cillian Murphy will reprise his role as Jim in the ongoing 28 Days Later universe. This confirmation comes amidst intense speculation and a clever rollout strategy for the new trilogy.
Murphy, who famously starred in the original 2002 film, will make his return in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the second film in the new trilogy. While his appearance in The Bone Temple is expected to be a brief, yet significant, “handover section” or “epilogue” teasing his larger role, fans are eagerly anticipating his return. Boyle revealed this information recently to IGN noting, “He is in the second one. I shouldn’t give away too much… I’ll get killed.” He also hinted that Murphy’s involvement, especially after his recent Oscar win, could be crucial in securing the budget for the third film in the series.
The new 28 Years Later trilogy, crafted by Boyle and original writer Alex Garland, has already seen its first two installments shot back-to-back for logistical and storytelling reasons. The first film, 28 Years Later, is set to hit theaters on June 20, 2025. “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,” featuring Murphy’s return, will follow shortly after, with a release date of January 16, 2026.
The trilogy’s new protagonist is an 11-year-old character named Spike, played by Alfie Williams, who will “run right way through the films.” Other new cast members in 28 Years Later include Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes. Cillian Murphy is also serving as an executive producer on the new films, indicating his deeper involvement in the franchise’s revival.
