Cillian Murphy Is Set to Return in the 28 Days Later Franchise, Fans Await His Comeback
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
After years of speculation, Cillian Murphy is officially confirmed to return to the iconic 28 Days Later franchise. The celebrated actor, known for his chilling role as Jim in the original 2002 film, will reprise his character in the upcoming sequel titled 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, slated for release in January 2026.
Director Danny Boyle, who co-created the post-apocalyptic saga alongside writer Alex Garland, revealed the news in recent interviews with IGN and IndieWire. Murphy’s involvement had been the subject of numerous fan theories, fueled further by the first trailer for this summer’s 28 Years Later, which hints at a character resembling Murphy’s infected Jim.
“He is in the second one. I shouldn’t give away too much. I’ll get killed,” Boyle teased to IGN. Speaking with IndieWire, he confirmed Murphy will have a “significant role” in the third installment—yet to be officially greenlit—depending largely on the box office success of 28 Years Later and Murphy’s participation. Notably, Murphy also serves as an executive producer on the upcoming film.
Boyle praised the creative use of Murphy’s character in the new trilogy, describing it as “clever” and “very smart,” with a satisfying introduction crafted by director Nia DaCosta. The new trilogy is designed with interconnected characters, including newcomer Alfie Williams as 12-year-old Spike, who will feature prominently throughout the films. Other fresh faces joining the franchise include Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes.
To accommodate cast schedules and maintain narrative continuity, the first two films were shot back-to-back. Boyle emphasized that the storylines are literally continuous, ensuring a seamless progression for fans to follow.
28 Years Later is set to hit theaters on June 20, 2025, kicking off the next chapter in the franchise. Fans eager to see Murphy’s return can look forward to 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple arriving on January 16, 2026, promising a thrilling expansion of the Rage Virus saga.
