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Fans of the iconic British horror franchise 28 Days Later can rejoice, Cillian Murphy is officially returning to the infected-ravaged world that helped launch his international career.
Although the actor won’t appear in the upcoming film 28 Years Later, set to hit cinemas on June 20th, director Danny Boyle has now confirmed that Murphy will feature in the sequel, titled The Bone Temple, which is scheduled for release in 2026.
Speaking to IGN, Boyle cautiously teased the news, saying: “He is in the second one. I shouldn’t give away too much. I’ll get killed.” The legendary director then went on to explain the ambitious scope of the newly revived franchise, which is being planned as a new trilogy nearly two decades after the original shook up the zombie genre.
Murphy starred as Jim, a bicycle courier who wakes up from a coma to find the UK devastated by the “Rage” virus, in the original 2002 hit 28 Days Later. His haunting performance helped redefine modern horror cinema and kickstarted a wave of gritty, fast-paced zombie films.
Cillian Murphy in '28 Days Later' - Sundance/WireImage
While Murphy did not appear in the 2007 sequel 28 Weeks Later, fans have long hoped he would one day return, and now, it’s finally happening.
Boyle added, “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.”
The upcoming 28 Years Later will be the first entry in this new trilogy and is being produced by Sony Pictures. It stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes, with Alex Garland returning to write the script.
As for The Bone Temple, few plot details have been revealed, but the title alone suggests a darker, more mythic tone, perhaps building on the franchise’s legacy while taking it in a bold new direction.
Murphy’s return is sure to add extra weight to the sequel, not just for longtime fans, but for a whole new generation discovering the franchise for the first time. With the first film of the trilogy just weeks away, anticipation is reaching fever pitch.
Alfie Williams, Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes in '28 Years Later'. Miya Mizuno/Columbia Pictures
