Director Danny Boyle has officially confirmed that Cillian Murphy will reprise his role as Jim in the 28 Days Later franchise. Murphy, who starred in the 2002 post-apocalyptic horror film, will return in the upcoming sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. While Murphy will not appear in 28 Years Later, the first installment of the new trilogy, he is set to play a significant role in the second film, scheduled for release in January 2026.
The new trilogy, crafted by Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland, will feature connecting characters across the films. One of the key figures is Spike, a 12-year-old character played by Alfie Williams, who will run through the entire trilogy.
Murphy’s return has been described as a “very smart use” of his character, with Boyle praising the introduction of Jim in the second film as “pretty good”. While details about Murphy’s role remain under wraps, Boyle hinted that his presence in The Bone Temple could be pivotal to securing funding for the third film in the trilogy.
The first two films, 28 Years Later and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, were shot back-to-back due to logistical, actor availability, and story reasons.
- 28 Years Later – Set to release on June 20, 2025.
- 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple – Scheduled for January 16, 2026.
The third film in the trilogy has not yet been greenlit, but Boyle expressed optimism that a strong box office performance from 28 Years Later and Murphy’s involvement could help secure the project’s future.
In addition to reprising his role, Murphy is also serving as an executive producer for the upcoming films. Producer Andrew Macdonald emphasized Murphy’s collaborative bond with the franchise, stating that while he is not in the first film, his involvement in the trilogy is expected to be meaningful.
Murphy’s return to the 28 Days Later universe has sparked excitement among fans, with many eager to see how his character will be reintroduced. With the trilogy promising new characters, intense storytelling, and a fresh take on the Rage Virus, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is shaping up to be a highly anticipated sequel.
