Cillian Murphy’s involvement in the 28 Years Later franchise has been officially confirmed after much speculation following a trailer release.
Devotees of the horror genre have been on tenterhooks for the next chapter in the 28 Days Later saga, with the forthcoming film 28 Years Later slated for a June 20 cinema debut. However, there was initial confusion due to a Cillian Murphy ‘doppelgänger’ that sharp-eyed viewers claimed to have spotted in an earlier trailer, reports the Daily Star.
The Mirror had previously reported that Murphy did not return for the 2007 follow-up, 28 Weeks Later, yet Sony chiefs hinted at his comeback in the trilogy’s third film in a “surprising way”. This led to fervent discussions among fans who believed they recognised the actor in the trailer.
A gaunt Cillian Murphy seemed to make a startling appearance in the trailer, as viewers speculated it was his character Jim, the survivor who ultimately fell victim to the lethal virus. One astounded fan exclaimed: “I thought he was alive? What the f***? That’s upsetting if this true for fans of the first movie”, while another lamented: “Nah man. Can’t believe they did this to Jim the bike courier.”
Speculation ran rampant on Reddit, with one user suggesting: “I’ve just been assuming he shows up in the final moment of the new one and then dies early on in the next one lol.”
Director Danny Boyle has now put rumours to rest, confirming Cillian’s return to the screen, revealing that the actor will feature in the 2026 film The Bone Temple, but not 28 Years Later. Speaking to IGN, Boyle disclosed: “He is in the second one.
“I shouldn’t give away too much. I’ll get killed.”
The shooting for 28 Years Later and The Bone Temple occurred in one seamless stretch, Boyle disclosed; yet, the trilogy’s concluding chapter is still scouting for funds.
He shared: “Although each story completes itself, there’s a handover section to the next film as well. So it’s very ambitious. We haven’t got the money for the third one yet.
“It will depend how the first one does, I guess. But hopefully if we do OK, they’ll give us the go-ahead for the money and for the third one.
“Everybody’s standing by for that, really. Including Cillian.”
Boyle is pinning his hopes on Murphy’s role in the sequel driving up finances for the trilogy finale. Sharing insights with Business Insider, Boyle remarked: “All I can say is you have to wait for Cillian, but hopefully he will help us get the third film financed.”
Following producer Andrew Macdonald’s confirmation about Murphy’s absence from 28 Years Later, as detailed to Empire magazine, Boyle’s revelation ignited intrigue.
Macdonald conveyed: “[On] this, we wanted him to be involved and he wanted to be involved. He is not in the first film, but I’m hoping there will be some Jim somewhere along the line.
“He’s involved at the moment as an executive producer, and I would hope we can work with him in some way in the future in the trilogy.”
28 Years Later is set to be released on June 20.