Cillian Murphy Returns for ‘28 Years Later’ Sequel,The Bone Temple
Hey horror fans, buckle up because the post-apocalyptic world of 28 Days Later is officially expanding—and yes, Cillian Murphy is back. It’s been over two decades since we watched Jim, played by Murphy, wake up in a deserted London and discover a world ravaged by a rage virus. And now, director Danny Boyle has confirmed that Murphy will return in the upcoming sequel 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.
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So here’s the scoop. 28 Years Later —the first part of a new trilogy—is hitting theaters on June 20, but don’t expect to see Murphy just yet. He’s not in this installment, but Danny Boyle dropped a juicy detail: we will get “a bit of Cillian” in The Bone Temple, the second film in this new chapter, which premieres January 16, 2026. Nia DaCosta, known for the 2021 reboot of Candyman , will be directing this one. Boyle himself is stepping aside for DaCosta but teases that Murphy’s appearance will be crucial, possibly even helping finance the third movie in the trilogy.
Murphy’s character Jim hasn’t been seen since the original 2002 film, which made waves not just for its intense story, but for its pioneering use of digital cameras and the terrifying introduction of fast-moving zombies. The original was a global hit, grossing over $85 million on a modest $10 million budget. It set the standard for modern zombie films and still holds a cult following today.
What’s wild is how much of this new trilogy is riding on Murphy’s involvement. According to Boyle, just promising Sony that Cillian Murphy was on board helped greenlight bold creative choices—like filming some scenes with iPhones. “You promise them Cillian Murphy, and they forget the technical stuff,” Boyle said with a laugh. That’s the kind of weight Murphy carries now, especially fresh off his Oscar win.
The franchise had a rocky road after 28 Weeks Later dropped in 2007 without Boyle or writer Alex Garland involved. Rights battles and long delays followed, but when the original rights reverted back around the film's 20th anniversary in 2022, Sony came out on top in a bidding war and fast-tracked not just one but possibly two sequels.
The first installment, 28 Years Later, focuses on a community on a remote island in the UK that’s managed to survive the virus. It stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes. Sounds like it’s going to be an intense ride—but let’s be real, most fans are holding their breath for Murphy’s big return.
So yes, it’s official: Cillian Murphy will re-enter the rage-infected world of 28 Days Later —and The Bone Temple is where it all begins again for Jim.
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