Cillian Murphy will return to the 28 Days Later franchise, as confirmed by director Danny Boyle. The Oscar-winning actor starred as Jim, the survivor of the unique outbreak, within the first film. Nevertheless, his character would not return within the third film of the movie collection, 28 Days Later, which hit film theaters on June 20, 2025.
Boyle, who directed the primary movie and the 2025 sequel, nevertheless, has some information about Murphy’s return to the franchise. For these desperate to see Jim within the post-apocalyptic horror movie collection, he’ll seem within the second film of the present cycle, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, scheduled for launch in 2026.
Boyle confirmed the plan to reprise Cillian Murphy’s character from 28 Days Later in an interview with IGN, revealed on June 3, 2025. He stated:
“He’s in the second. I should not give away an excessive amount of. I am going to get killed.”
Whereas the extent of Murphy’s display screen time in The Bone Temple stays a thriller, it was implied that the Oscar-winning actor might be a key character within the third movie, aka the sequel to The Bone Temple. Cillian Murphy stays affiliated with the brand new movie, the place he is additionally one of many government producers.
Extra about Cillian Murphy’s return to the 28 Days Later franchise
Cillian Murphy’s onscreen return within the 28 Days Later franchise will occur within the second film within the new trilogy, The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta. Will probably be launched in January 2026, and in accordance with director Danny Boyle, there is a “very satisfying introduction” of his character in DaCosta’s film.
The third film of the trilogy is predicted to characteristic “lots extra” of Murphy’s character. Boyle defined that the three movies have connecting characters. Like how Alfie Williams’ Spike is launched within the first film, it is how Cillian Murphy’s Jim might be launched within the second movie earlier than turning into a central determine within the third installment.
Nevertheless, in accordance with Boyle in the identical interview with IGN, they do not have the funds for the movie but, and all people continues to be ready for that, “together with Cillian.”
“We have not received the cash for the third one but. It’s going to rely how the primary one does, I assume. However hopefully if we do okay, they’re going to give us the go-ahead for the cash and for the third one. Everyone’s standing by for that, actually. Together with Cillian,” he stated.
As for the way a lot screentime the Oscar-winner’s function will get in that third film, Boyle informed Indiewire in an unique interview, revealed on June 3, 2025, that it’ll be “important.”
“It would not take a genius to work on the market’s going to be an enormous function for Cillian Murphy in it. Yeah, a major function,” he stated.
He additionally clarified that Cillian Murphy might be enjoying the identical character from the unique movie. With out freely giving the ultimate film within the trilogy, Boyle shared DaCosta’s perspective on the thematic focus of every film within the collection. He informed the outlet:
“She stated, ‘Effectively, I feel the primary one is in regards to the nature of household. The second’s in regards to the nature of evil. And the third one is in regards to the nature of redemption.'”
He added that the thought for the third movie has been “mapped out” and it is a “very sensible use” of Murphy’s character. The director additionally emphasised {that a} strong field workplace efficiency from 28 Years Later may go a great distance in securing the funds for the third installment.
28 Years Later is at present in film theaters.
Edited by Sriparna Barui
