Cillian Murphy Confirmed for 28 Years Later Sequel and Trilogy Plan

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Summary

  • 28 Years Later director Danny Boyle confirms that Cillian Murphy will not appear in the film.
  • Cillian Murphy will appear in the sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, and the planned third film.
  • The third installment of the 28 Years Later trilogy depends on the box office success of the first two films.

28 Years Later director Danny Boyle has shared details about Cillian Murphy’s possible involvement in the upcoming film and potential sequels. In the 2002 original movie, 28 Days Later, Murphy played Jim under Boyle’s direction and Alex Garland’s screenplay, who finds himself awakening in a hospital following a virus outbreak in England. As the world grapples with this terrifying new reality, Jim fights to survive. A sequel titled 28 Weeks Later, featuring Jeremy Renner, was released in 2007, with Boyle and Garland serving as executive producers but not returning for their original roles.

28 Years Later is set to be directed by Boyle, who co-wrote the script with Garland. The movie stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, Jodie Comer, and Jack O’Connell. The plot unfolds 28 years after the events of previous films, focusing on a group of survivors living on an island, venturing out for supply runs that reveal the grim state of the current world. As the first installment of a planned trilogy, fans of the series are eagerly anticipating the return of this horror franchise. There has been much speculation about Murphy’s role in the new movie, with some assuming he might play an emaciated “infected” character based on the first trailer. However, it now appears that Murphy will indeed rejoin the franchise.

During an interview with IGN, director Danny Boyle disclosed information about Cillian Murphy’s appearance in the upcoming sequels of “28 Years Later”. Although it seems that Murphy won’t be featured in the first film, Boyle clarified, “He is in the second one.” Despite cautioning that he might face backlash if he reveals too much, the director confirmed that Murphy will make an appearance in the already-filmed sequel titled “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple”. If they are given the go-ahead to complete their trilogy plans, Murphy is expected to reprise his role in the third installment. Boyle expressed enthusiasm about making the third film, stating that everyone, including Cillian himself, is eagerly waiting for it. Read Boyle’s comments on Cillian Murphy’s return in the “28 Years Later” movies below.

Each story stands independently with a connecting point to the next installment, making it quite ambitious. At present, funding for the third film remains elusive, but it could hinge on the success of the first. Fingers crossed that we’ll get the green light for both the finances and the production of the third one. Everyone is eagerly awaiting this development, including Cillian.

It’s only right to give credit where it’s due to Sony Pictures Studio. Instead of insisting on a more traditional sequel approach for 28 Years Later, they were open-minded and allowed us creative freedom. They could have expressed concerns about the deviation from the original concept or questioned Cillian Murphy’s absence in the first installment, but they didn’t. Instead, they accepted our explanation that while Cillian would indeed be part of the project, he wouldn’t appear in the very first one. Kudos to them for their patience and trust in us.

Will The 28 Years Later Trilogy Actually Be Completed?

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, co-produced by Danny Boyle and Alex Garland, continues its journey on the big screen, with box office success being crucial for shaping the series’ destiny. Filmed concurrently with the original film, this sequel is helmed by Nia DaCosta, who also directed Marvel’s The Marvels and the Candyman remake. Ralph Fiennes, Aflie Williams, and possibly other original cast members are expected to reprise their roles when production for 28 Years Later resumes.

As a die-hard fan, I’m excited about the prospects of my beloved horror franchise. The creators are back, ready to revisit their terrifying universe once again. And when the trailer dropped, it shattered records, racking up an astounding 60 million views in just 24 hours – a clear sign of fans’ unyielding fascination with this series. Title number two, “The Bone Temple”, is slated for release in January 2026, while the third installment, if all goes according to plan, will get the go-ahead and keep the series alive.

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2025-06-04 01:07