Cork actor Cillian Murphy set to appear in sequel to popular ‘28 Years Later’

*Warning, there are spoilers in this article if you haven't seen 28 Years Later*

28 Years Later has been a huge success since its cinema release last week, with scores of up to 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.

It pretty much ticked every box with fans of the films, however, some were left wondering about Cillian Murphy's character Jim.

Cillian Murphy starred in Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later, which was released in 2002.

Trailers left fans speculating that he had become a zombie, or 'infected' as they are known in the franchise, when a monster that looked eerily like Murphy featured in the trailer for 28 Years Later.

However, it wasn't to be, but the Oppenheimer star did feature as an executive producer for the film.

Director Danny Boyle has since confirmed Murphy will appear in the sequel to 28 Years Later, ' 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple'

In an interview with ScreenRant, Boyle said Murphy will feature "at the coda" of the film.

While this suggests a cameo, Boyle hinted that Murphy's Jim will be the main character in the third film to finish the trilogy.

"Yeah, I have admitted this under pressure. I've obviously seen a rough cut of Nia DaCosta's film of The Bone Temple and he's introduced beautifully at the coda of that film. 

"That obviously leads you in the way that you'll probably realise that Jimmy is going to be a huge part of the second movie having been introduced at the end of the first movie. 

"Likewise, Cillian will be a huge part of the third movie having been introduced in what is, in effect, a coda to the second movie. A very surprising one nonetheless."

The Bone Temple was shot back-to-back with 28 Years Later, and will be released in cinemas in January 2026.

Boyle was referring to Jimmy Crystal (Jack O'Connell) who makes a violent entrance at the close of 28 Years Later and will feature prominently in the next film.

It is also evident that he was the boy who escaped a massacre by being infected at the beginning of the film.

His resemblance to sexual abuser Jimmy Savile has led to some controversy, but it fits in with the theme of an isolated Britain stuck in the past that is prominent throughout the film.