Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for 28 Years LaterEven though28 Years Lateris receiving very positive reviews, the highly anticipated return of Cillian Murphy’s Jim doesn’t take place in the film. Fans of 2002’s28 Days Laterand its sequel, 2007’s28 Weeks Later, have been waiting for the new movie in the franchise for a long time. Thankfully, the recently released28 Years Laterdoesn’t disappoint. So far,reviews for28 Years Laterhave been generally positive, with Screen Rant’s own Mary Kassel giving it a score of 7 out of 10.
Even though it continues the story of the previous two movies in the franchise,28 Years Laterimmediately reverses theending of28 Weeks Later, which saw the infected in Paris.28 Years Laterestablishes thatthe Rage Virusis contained to the United Kingdom. Since Murphy’s character seemingly left the U.K. at the end of the original movie, it is still not known how he will return. While he will eventually appear in the trilogy,Murphy does not have a role in the first28 Years Laterfilm, which may disappoint some fans.
Cillian Murphy Was Never Going To Be In 28 Years Later
28 Years Later Begins A New Era For The Franchise
Even though it has been confirmed that Murphy will appear in the new trilogy,he was never planned to have a role in the first28 Years Laterfilm. Rather than following Jim years after the events of the original movie,28 Years Laterwas originally developed as a new story. In fact, when writer Alex Garland and director Danny Boyle originally started developing the new movie, they had no clue if Murphy would even be interested in returning to the franchise.
Therefore,28 Years Laterwas never meant to be a continuation of Jim’s story. Instead, Garland and Boyle came up with a story that can be told across three movies that is primarily centered on one family. The first film introduces Jamie, Isla, and Spike, the three members of this family. While Isla dies at theend of28 Years Later, it should be interesting to see what roles Jamie and Spike have in the sequel, which will also feature characters like Ralph Fiennes' Dr. Kelson and Jack O’Connell’s Jimmy.
What Danny Boyle Has Said About Cillian Murphy Not Being In 28 Years Later
Boyle & Murphy Have Not Reunited Yet
Ever since it was announced that Murphy would appear in the28 Years Latertrilogy,fans have been theorizing what his role will be. Originally, many fans thought Murphy appeared as an infected in the first trailer for28 Years Later. However, this theory was quickly debunked. Obviously, fans have had a lot of questions for Boyle about Jim’s inclusion in the new trilogy, but the director has been quite tight-lipped about thefates of Cillian Murphy and Naomie Harris' characters. In an interview before the release of28 Years Later, Boyle said:
So, it’s independent from the first film, but it’s still the same apocalypse 28 years later as it was for Cillian Murphy in the first film and Naomie Harris. But this is 28 years later, and we don’t know what’s happened to them [Jim and Selena].
Based on his comments, it’s clear that Boyle wanted the first movie in the new trilogy to not be too closely tied to28 Days Later. However, beyond the first28 Years Latermovie, it’s obvious that Boyle and Garland have a more ambitious plan for the trilogy. Therefore, the director has hinted at when Murphy’s character will return in the upcoming sequels. Thankfully,according to Boyle, fans won’t have to wait too long to see Jim again after28 Years Later.
There Are Plans For Cillian Murphy To Return After 28 Years Later
Murphy Will Return As Jim Sooner Rather Than Later
Ahead of the release of the trilogy’s first movie, Boyle confirmed thatCillian Murphy will appear at the end of28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Since the upcoming sequel has already been shot, it seems like Murphy has already filmed new scenes as Jim. Currently,28 Years Later: The Bone Templeis slated for a June 29, 2025 release date, which means fans only have to wait about seven months to see Murphy in the franchise again. Talking about Murphy’s role in the second film, which is directed by Nia DaCosta, Boyle said:
She [DaCosta] gets a bit of Cillian at the end. All I can say is you have to wait for Cillian, but hopefully he will help us get the third film financed.
While Murphy may only have a minor role inThe Bone Temple,it seems like he will be one of the main characters in the third28 Years Latermovie. As Boyle notes, he is hoping Murphy’s inclusion ensures that they get funding to make the third movie. Boyle has also revealed that he plans to direct the third movie, so he and Murphy will hopefully reunite soon. Therefore, while Murphy didn’t appear in28 Years Later, there are many reasons to be excited for the next two movies in the trilogy.
