Cillian Murphy’s Role in ’28 Years Later’ – The Internet Can’t Stop Speculating!

The internet is once again abuzz over the long-awaited return of 28 Days Later star Cillian Murphy, sparking wild theories after the release of the first trailer for 28 Years Later, the highly anticipated third installment in the post-apocalyptic horror franchise.

Cillian Murphy, the Oscar-winning Irish actor, became synonymous with the role of ‘Jim’ in Danny Boyle’s 2002 cult hit 28 Days Later, where his portrayal of a man awakening from a coma into a world ravaged by a virus turned him into a household name. However, Murphy did not appear in the 2007 sequel, 28 Weeks Later, leaving many fans questioning whether his character would return in future installments. With Boyle returning to direct 28 Years Later, the internet quickly caught fire with rumors that Murphy’s iconic character might make a comeback.

The speculation reached fever pitch following the debut of the 28 Years Later trailer in December 2024. In one chilling sequence, a gaunt, zombie-like figure appeared onscreen, sparking a frenzy of discussion online. Many fans immediately noted the resemblance between this eerie figure and Murphy’s character, ‘Jim.’ The shot, featuring the deathly thin zombie, seemed to suggest that Murphy could indeed be reprising his role.

As the trailer spread across social media, the theory grew legs. Movie fans couldn’t contain their excitement, with some speculating that the zombie was indeed Jim, while others eagerly awaited Murphy’s confirmation. “That’s definitely Cillian Murphy in the trailer—I don’t care what anyone says,” one enthusiastic fan wrote, while another chimed in, “I am so excited about this film, and to see Cillian Murphy back as Jim would be the cherry on top.”

Adding fuel to the fire, Murphy’s name appeared in the cast list for 28 Years Later, further fueling fans’ hopes. The internet sleuths went into overdrive, scouring every frame of the trailer in an attempt to decipher the mystery. But as the weeks passed, reality set in—Murphy would not, in fact, be returning as ‘Jim.’

Movie producer Andrew Macdonald recently addressed the rumors in an exclusive interview with Empire magazine. Despite Murphy’s desire to be involved, Macdonald confirmed that the actor would not be appearing in the new film. The sickly zombie in the trailer, it turns out, is newcomer Angus Neil, not Murphy. While the disappointment was palpable, Macdonald provided some hope for fans.

“There’s still a chance for Cillian Murphy to return in future films,” Macdonald teased. 28 Years Later is the first installment in what is now a planned trilogy of sequels. The second film, The Bone Temple, is slated for release in January 2026, and fans are hoping for a glimpse of Murphy as Jim in the upcoming projects. Macdonald hinted at the possibility of working with Murphy in some capacity in the future, saying, “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.”

For now, fans will have to wait until June 2025 for the release of 28 Years Later to see how the franchise progresses without its original star. However, with a trilogy on the horizon, the mystery of Cillian Murphy’s return to the zombie apocalypse may not be over just yet. As the world of 28 Days Later continues to unfold, fans are holding on to hope that Jim’s story will one day pick up where it left off.