Danny Boyle confirms Cillian Murphy will appear in the '28 Years Later' sequel

Published: Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 2:53 pm

Cillian Murphy's Return Teased in "28 Years Later" Sequel Trilogy

The highly anticipated "28 Years Later" sequel trilogy is taking shape, with director Danny Boyle confirming Cillian Murphy's involvement in the upcoming installments. While Murphy won't appear in the first film, "28 Years Later," which hits theaters on June 20th, fans can expect his return in the second film, "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple," directed by Nia DaCosta and slated for release on January 16, 2026.

Boyle, who directed the original 2002 zombie horror classic "28 Days Later," revealed that Murphy's character, Jim, will make a comeback in "The Bone Temple." Boyle is also planning a third film in the trilogy, which he intends to direct, though Sony, the studio behind the project, has yet to officially greenlight it.

The original "28 Days Later" was a groundbreaking success, praised for its innovative use of digital cameras and its fast-moving, rage-infected zombies, a departure from the slow-moving undead of previous films. The franchise's journey to a sequel has been complex, with rights issues and creative differences delaying the project for years. Now, with Sony at the helm, the franchise is poised for a major resurgence.

"28 Years Later" will focus on a community in the UK that has survived the virus for decades and stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes. Boyle has been candid about leveraging Murphy's star power to secure the third film, even using the promise of his involvement to convince Sony to approve innovative filming techniques.

BNN's Perspective: The return of Cillian Murphy is undoubtedly a major draw for fans of the original film. While the absence in the first installment is disappointing, the promise of his return in "The Bone Temple" and the potential for a third film is exciting. The franchise's evolution, with new directors and a fresh perspective, could revitalize the zombie genre.

Keywords: 28 Years Later, Cillian Murphy, Danny Boyle, The Bone Temple, Nia DaCosta, zombie movie, sequel, horror, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, 28 Days Later, film trilogy, Sony.

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