Danny Boyle Confirms Cillian Murphy in 28 Years Later Sequel 2026

Cillian Murphy, who starred as Jim in the original 2002 film 28 Days Later, will return in the second installment of the planned new trilogy titled 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta and set to release in January 2026. Although Murphy is absent from the first sequel, 28 Years Later, releasing June 2025, director Danny Boyle confirmed Murphy's appearance in the follow-up, hinting it may help secure financing for the third film, which remains unconfirmed. Boyle has expressed strong interest in directing the third movie if it is greenlit and noted that each film in the trilogy has a story that completes itself while linking to the next. The new trilogy continues to explore a dystopian UK ravaged by a rage virus, with returning cast members including Jack O'Connell, Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes, and screenplays written by Alex Garland. The first two films were shot back-to-back due to actor availability and story continuity, and Sony is releasing both, though it has not yet committed to the third installment. Fans have eagerly awaited Murphy's return, which is expected to deepen the narrative arc begun in the original film.