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 finally revealed whether Cillian Murphy is involved in the upcoming movie and its sequels. Murphy starred in the 2002 original 28 Days Later, which was also directed by Boyle and penned by recently announced Elden Ring movie adaptation writer and director Alex Garland. Murphy played a man named Jim who wakes up in a hospital weeks after a virus has ravaged England, and he sets about surviving the horrifying new reality the world finds itself dealing with. An underrated sequel starring Jeremy Renner, 28 Weeks Later, was released in 2007, with Boyle and Garland serving as executive producers but stepping back from their prior roles.

Boyle is back to direct 28 Years Later from a script he co-wrote with Garland. The film stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, Jodie Comer, and Jack O' Connell. The story picks up 28 years after the events of the other films, following a group of survivors who live on an island, with certain people leaving on supply runs, which reveal the horrors of the current world. 28 Years Later is also intended to be the first part of a trilogy, with fans of the series excited about the horror franchise's return. Since it was announced, fans have been hoping to hear news of Murphy's involvement in the new movie, with some speculating his character was an emaciated "infected" character in the first trailer. However, Murphy's return to the franchise looks to be confirmed.

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By Sandip Kishan Anbuselvan

While speaking with IGN, Boyle revealed details surrounding Murphy's return in the upcoming 28 Years Later films. While it looks like Murphy won't be in 28 Years Later, Boyle says, "He is in the second one." Admitting, "I'll get killed" if too much is revealed, the director confirms that Murphy will appear in the already filmed sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, with the actor set to appear in the third installment if they get the green light to finish their trilogy plans. Boyle is also excited to get the third film made, admitting, "Everybody's standing by for that, really. Including Cillian." Read Boyle's comments on Cillian Murphy's return in the 28 Years Later movies below:

Although each story completes itself, there's a handover section to the next film as well. So it's very ambitious. We haven't got the money for the third one yet. It will depend how the first one does, I guess. But hopefully if we do ok, they'll give us the go-ahead for the money and for the third one. Everybody's standing by for that, really. Including Cillian.

I have to say fair play to [studio Sony Pictures]. They did allow us to take great liberties with [28 Years Later]. They could have said, 'Oh no, it needs to be more sequel-y. You need to rely on some of the ideas that are in the original. And what do you mean Cillian's not going to appear in the first one? I thought you said Cillian was going to be in it.' We said, 'Yeah, Cillian is going to be in it, but not quite the first one.' So fair play to them. They've put up with a lot.

Will The 28 Years Later Trilogy Actually Be Completed?

28 Years Later still has a lot to prove at the box office, which will ultimately determine the franchise's future. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple was filmed continuously with the first film, with The Marvels and Candyman remake director Nia DaCosta at the helm. Boyle and Garland serve as producers, and Garland wrote the script. Ralph Fiennes and Aflie Williams are also said to return to their roles, which will start in 28 Years Later.

While the future of the franchise may still be up in the air, the outlook is good, with the creative team returning to the world they created. Furthermore, when the trailer debuted, it broke horror movie records for view counts, clocking in 60 million views in 24 hours, showing a thriving interest in the franchise. 28 Years Later will be released in June, with The Bone Temple set for January 2026. If all goes well, the third installment will get the green light to see the series continue.

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