28 Years Later: How Does Cillian Murphy Return in The Bone Temple?

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When news of 28 Years Later came out, fans of the original 28 Days Later (2002) immediately wondered if Cillian Murphy would be involved. Before he became famous for films like Oppenheimer and the TV show Peaky Blinders, and even before winning an Oscar, Murphy was a rising actor who starred in director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland’s low-budget take on the zombie genre. 28 Days Later really launched his career, so many felt it was fitting that he reprise his role in 28 Years Later.

As more information about the 28 Years Later trilogy emerged, and the first trailers were released, the filmmakers ran into a problem. Fans misinterpreted some early scenes as evidence that Cillian Murphy, who played Jim in the original 28 Days Later, would appear in the new film. Danny Boyle, Alex Garland, and even Murphy had to publicly deny this, and the issue was finally resolved when it was confirmed that Murphy wouldn’t appear until the second movie.

The new book, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, is finally available. Now, the big question is: what role does Jim play in the events of The Bone Temple?

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Kind of Cheats Fans (Again)

Let’s be clear: Cillian Murphy’s character Jim is in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. However, the filmmakers were misleading when they said Murphy was in the film.

The film 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple features a final scene with Jim. The story centers on Spike (Alfie Williams), who leaves his island home seeking a different life and finds himself in a dangerous world. He falls in with the “Cult of Jimmy,” led by the violent Sir Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell). Their group eventually clashes with Dr. Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), who has spent years creating a large-scale art installation using bones and skulls as a memorial to the deceased.

Following a violent showdown, only Spike and Kelly – known as “Jimmy Ink,” a particularly ruthless and perceptive member of the cult – remain alive. The scene abruptly cuts to them walking into an uncertain future, then jumps forward in time to a cozy cottage in the English countryside. There, we meet an older Jim teaching a young, biracial girl about European military history, hinting that she is his daughter with Selena, his love interest and fellow survivor from the first movie (played by Naomie Harris).

The quiet scene is interrupted when Jim and his daughter hear a disturbance nearby. They climb to a hilltop, using a sniper scope to see what’s happening. They quickly spot Spike and Kelly running for their lives, pursued by a growing group of The Infected. Jim’s daughter asks if they should help, and while he’s unsure, Jim ultimately decides they must – he believes in helping those in need, and he acts on that belief.

Cillian Murphy Has Already Teased Jim’s Bigger Story If 28 Years Later 3 Happens

Cillian Murphy admitted he wasn’t in much of The Bone Temple, but explained his brief appearance was meant to build anticipation for the next film, where his character will have a much larger role. However, he emphasized that a third film depends on how well the second one performs – the studio needs a strong audience response and good ticket sales to move forward. He’s confident they’ll make it though, saying, “It’s really, really good.”

In December 2025, after early reactions to The Bone Temple began surfacing, Sony officially approved 28 Years Later 3, starring Cillian Murphy. Danny Boyle will direct the film, completing his work on the trilogy’s story, which he co-wrote with Alex Garland. Alfie Williams and Erin Kellyman are also confirmed to reprise their roles.

Major spoilers ahead! 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is a pivotal installment in the series. While Spike dealt with the dangerous Jimmy family, Dr. Kelson achieved a significant discovery: a combination of opioid and anti-psychotic medications could cure the Rage Virus. His first successful test subject, the alpha known as “Samson” (Chi Lewis-Parry), recovered his awareness and humanity, even while still carrying the virus. Sadly, Kelson died knowing he’d found a cure, leaving Samson wandering in the wilderness – and carrying the key to ending the infection.

It seems fitting that Jim, more than anyone, would play a key role in the UK’s recovery from the Rage Virus, even if it meant sacrificing himself.

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2026-01-16 16:14