28 Years Later Director Teases Cillian Murphy’s Role in Sequel (And You Might Be Disappointed)

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In a recent disclosure, director Danny Boyle has shared details about the significant part that actor Cillian Murphy’s character Jim will have in the upcoming sequel to “28 Days Later”. However, this revelation might not meet your expectations. Two decades ago, Danny Boyle and then-rising talent Cillian Murphy collaborated for a groundbreaking zombie movie titled “28 Days Later”. This film was a commercial success, earning 10 times its initial budget, making it a financially lucrative venture, as well as garnering critical acclaim for its chilling and innovative portrayal of the genre. Interestingly, about half a decade later, writer Alex Garland directed the sequel, “28 Weeks Later”, which did not include Murphy’s character in any way.

As a movie buff, I couldn’t contain my excitement when news broke about a new trilogy for the iconic “28 Days Later” series. The buzz was intense, especially after Cillian Murphy’s remarkable Oscar win for “Oppenheimer.” It was widely speculated that he would be involved in these sequels. However, to my disappointment, “28 Years Later” doesn’t include any role for Cillian Murphy, a fact that had been hinted at earlier and tempered expectations. Contrary to this, there were whispers that he would star in the sequels, starting with next year’s “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.” Last year, there were even rumors of him being spotted shooting with the film crew, but specifics about his role in the movie have been shrouded in mysterious secrecy.

28 Years Later Sequel Will Only Tease Cillian Murphy’s Character

Director Danny Boyle has shared some intriguing insights about the role of Cillian Murphy in “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple”. Essentially, his character, Jim, will make a reappearance towards the end of the sequel’s narrative, much like the cult of Jimmys did at the end of the original film. However, specific details about the extent of Murphy’s involvement have been kept under wraps for now.

I’ve had a sneak peek at an early version of Nia DaCosta’s “The Bone Temple.” At the conclusion of the film, a character named Jimmy is skillfully presented, hinting that he will likely play a significant role in the sequel, as he was introduced at the end of the first movie. Similarly, Cillian’s character is expected to be crucial in the third movie, given that he was subtly introduced as a coda to the second movie, a surprising twist indeed.

At present, we’re completely in the dark about what his character will be doing, what Cillian Murphy’s portrayal of Jim will entail in this new phase, or the path they’ll follow in the third 28 Years Later movie. Despite the fact that the sequel has been filmed and is scheduled for release in January 2026, the script and filming for the third film have yet to begin. Director Garland has shared that he has a story and plan, but seems to be holding off on writing it until he receives positive feedback for 28 Years Later and gets the go-ahead to proceed.

Indeed, encountering a cult centered around characters called Jimmy has me pondering if Murphy’s Jimmy belongs to the same circle. For now, it seems we’re left guessing, but it appears that we might need to be patient to truly grasp his character in the realm of 28 Years Later.

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2025-06-22 18:09