Cillian Murphy Returns for 28 Years Later Trilogy

Director Danny Boyle has confirmed that Cillian Murphy, who starred in the original 2002 film '28 Days Later,' will return in the upcoming trilogy of sequels, starting with '28 Years Later' set for release on June 20, 2025. Although Murphy will not appear in the first film, he is involved as an executive producer and is expected to reprise his role as Jim in later films, particularly '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,' which is slated for a 2026 release. At CinemaCon 2025, Boyle teased that fans will have to wait for Murphy's return, stating, 'Like all good things in life, you may have to wait a little while for him to make his appearance.' The first film features a star-studded cast, including Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes, and aims to explore themes of survival in a post-apocalyptic world. Boyle's comments have sparked excitement among fans, who have speculated about the character's fate following the original film's events. The trilogy is seen as a fresh take on the beloved franchise, which has not seen an original creator's involvement since 2007's '28 Weeks Later.'