The much-awaited follow-up to the iconic films 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later is set to hit screens later this year, but there’s some bad news for franchise fans regarding the cast.
The initial trailer for the next instalment of the zombie horror franchise dropped on December 10, leading many to believe they caught a glimpse of Cillian Murphy among the chaos. For a fleeting moment, a gaunt zombie that bears an uncanny resemblance to the Oscar-winning actor emerges from a field.
Cillian famously played courier Jim in the 2002 movie 28 Days Later, fuelling speculation about his character’s fate in the upcoming film. However, it was later revealed that the actor portraying the spine-chilling zombie wasn’t Cillian, but rather a lookalike extra named Angus Neill.
In a devastating blow for film fans, it has now been confirmed that Cillian will not be returning to the franchise in any on-screen acting role, reports the Mirror.
Fans were convinced they’d spotted Cillian Murphy in the trailer – but it was actually a lookalike extra
(Image: Sony Pictures)
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In a conversation with Empire magazine, producer Andrew Macdonald divulged: “[On] this, we wanted him to be involved and he wanted to be involved. He is not in the first film, but I’m hoping there will be some Jim somewhere along the line.”
“He’s involved at the moment as an executive producer, and I would hope we can work with him in some way in the future in the trilogy.”
Meanwhile director Danny Boyle confessed he had been warned about the lookalike in the film’s trailer, but admitted he dismissed the concerns.
“I showed my girlfriend the trailer and she said, ‘People will think that’s Cillian.’ I said, ‘Don’t be silly,'” he shared. “I ignored her. So I’ve eaten a bit of humble pie since.”
Cillian Murphy played Jim in the 2002 film 28 Days Later
(Image: Sundance/WireImage)
The forthcoming 2025 film will signal the start of a new trilogy – with another sequel titled 28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple, set to grace cinemas in 2026. The impressive cast features Ralph Fiennes, Aaron-Taylor Johnson and Jodie Comer.
The official summary for 28 Years Later states: “It’s been almost three decades since the rage virus escaped a biological weapons laboratory, and now, still in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amidst the infected. One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily-defended causeway.
“When one of the group leaves the island on a mission into the dark heart of the mainland, he discovers secrets, wonders, and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors as well.”
28 Years Later releases in cinemas on June 20, 2025