Director Danny Boyle confirms that Cillian Murphy will return in the planned28 Years Latertrilogy. Boyle directed the original28 Days Laterfrom 2002, which followed Murphy as a bicycle courier named Jim who awakens from a coma to discover that the Rage Virus has ravaged London. Boyle has returned as the director of theupcoming28 Years Later, which is planned as the start of a new trilogy that already includes the sequel, subtitledThe Bone Temple, which was shot back-to-back by Nia DaCosta.
Now, during an interview withBusiness Insider,Danny Boyle confirmed that Cillian Murphy will return in the planned28 Years Latertrilogy. The director revealed that he will return at the end ofThe Bone Temple, helmed by DaCosta, and expressed hope that Murphy’s involvement will help “get the third film financed,” which he plans to direct himself. Read Boyle’s full comment below:
She 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.
What This Means For The Planned 28 Years Later Trilogy
Cillian Murphy Is Returning After All
It was initially reported that Cillian Murphy was returning in28 Years Later, and there was even speculation that a zombie version of Jim appeared in the28 Years Latertrailer. That was later debunked by the actor actually playing the infected person, followed by producer Andrew Macdonald confirming that Murphy doesn’t actually appear in28 Years Laterat all. Now, Boyle has confirmed that Murphy will be returning in the sequel, subtitledThe Bone Temple, which isn’t a surprise since,in September 2024, he was spotted on set shooting in Ennerdale, Cumbria.
Boyle says that Murphy will return “at the end” of28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, whichsounds like it will be a cameo that sets up a larger role in the third and final filmin the planned trilogy. Based on his comment, Boyle is essentially using Murphy as a bargaining chip to help get the third movie made, which is a wise move. WhileThe Bone Templewas already shot back-to-back with its predecessor, the third and final film in the planned trilogy has not yet been greenlit by Sony.
Our Take On Cillian Murphy Returning In The Bone Temple
Did Danny Boyle Spoil The Surprise?
While fans will surely be excited to hear the news of Murphy returning inThe Bone Temple,it seems like Boyle has essentially spoiled his surprise cameoat the end of the movie and potentially robbed the moment of its full emotional impact. Cameos like this tend to work best when they catch audiences completely off guard, creating a true surprise. While the strategy may help secure financing for the third film, it comes at the cost of one ofThe Bone Temple’s potentially most powerful moments, one that could have surprised audiences instead of now being expected.
28 Years Laterreleases in theaters on June 20, followed byThe Bone Templeon January 16.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is the latest entry in the acclaimed zombie series, directed by Nia DaCosta. Following 2025’s events, the film explores a world grappling with the remnants of a catastrophic outbreak while survivors uncover a mysterious refuge known as the Bone Temple.
