Cillian Murphy’s Daunting Reveal in the Next ’28 Years Later’ Film

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In Summer 2025, one of the much-awaited releases is the sequel to the 2002 low-budget zombie film “28 Days Later,” titled “28 Years Later.” This movie, directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland, promises to break new ground in the genre. Although a previous sequel, “28 Weeks Later,” was released in 2007, it was not associated with the original creators. Now, the original team is back for a new trilogy, starting with “28 Years Later.” Unfortunately, the original film’s star, Cillian Murphy, was not initially involved. However, exciting news about his return has been announced at CinemaCon 2025.

During a CinemaCon chat about the upcoming movie “28 Years Later“, director Boyle expressed his excitement for revisiting the high-speed zombie genre. He admitted, “I’m still fond of an apocalypse, the British way. I’m still drawn to the infected. And I still enjoy causing a ruckus with explosions.” Regarding the conspicuous absence of Murphy in trailers and promotional materials, Boyle playfully hinted at his eventual return, saying, “Good things come to those who wait – even if that means waiting a bit longer for him to show up.

The movie boasts a strong and notable cast, such as Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes. To add to this, the initial trailer that dropped in December was highly lauded for its chilling editing and ominous imagery, demonstrating that the film is capable of success without Murphy’s onscreen presence. However, since he’s credited as an executive producer for upcoming films, it seems almost certain that he will make an appearance on screen eventually.

Fans May Have To Wait for the Next ’28 Years Later‘ Movie To See Cillian Murphy’s Return

Based on Danny Boyle’s recent remarks, it appears quite likely that Murphy won’t make an appearance until the second film in the intended trilogy titled 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Although Boyle directed the initial movie, he and Garland have chosen Nia DaCosta, director of both The Marvels and Candyman, to direct the second film. The screenplay is being written by Garland, who will pen all three films in the series. With a release date set for January 2026, it’s confirmed that The Bone Temple will feature the comeback of Fiennes’ character, with further details yet to be revealed.

As a passionate cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that at CinemaCon, I’ll be discussing “The Bone Temple,” a movie that will deviate from this summer’s zombie film. While it draws inspiration from “28 Days Later,” the script for “The Bone Temple” is uniquely different. I got the chance to let loose creatively with this project.

On a related note, although financing for the third film hasn’t been secured yet, Ridley Scott has expressed his intention to direct the final installment of this trilogy. This would serve as a fitting conclusion to what promises to be an extraordinary cinematic journey.

Despite limited updates about Murphy’s role in the trilogy, it’s comforting that his exclusion from the films’ promotions has been addressed publicly. Given his rising fame, particularly after winning an Oscar for his performance in Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” his participation would undoubtedly help secure funding for the third film. With a trailer for “28 Years Later” unveiled at CinemaCon and new promotional images revealed, it won’t be long before eager fans get another chilling glimpse of the highly anticipated movie.

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2025-04-01 19:03