&lsquo;28 Years Later marks the explosive return of one of cinema&rsquo;s most iconic horror franchises. Directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland, the film picks up nearly three decades after the shocking Rage Virus outbreak that first shook audiences in &lsquo;28 Days Later&rsquo; (2002).
The Big Question: Is Cillian Murphy in the New Film?
The question fans can&rsquo;t stop asking is: Does Cillian Murphy appear in this new film? The answer is no &mdash; not in this installment. But there&rsquo;s good news: he&rsquo;s returning in the sequel.
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Confirmed: Murphy Returns in 'The Bone Temple'
While Cillian Murphy doesn&rsquo;t appear in &lsquo;28 Years Later&rsquo;, he serves as an executive producer, reuniting with Boyle and Garland after nearly 20 years. And now it&rsquo;s official &mdash; he will reprise his role as Jim in the upcoming sequel, &lsquo;28 Years Later: The Bone Temple&rsquo;, scheduled for release in early 2026.
Producer Tom Rothman confirmed to Deadline, saying:
&ldquo;Yes, he will be back &mdash; but in a surprising way, and in a way that grows.&rdquo;
A New Generation Faces the Virus
Released on 20th June, 2025, &lsquo;28 Years Later&rsquo; introduces a new cast of characters. Jodie Comer and Aaron Taylor-Johnson star as Isla and Jamie, a couple surviving on a fortified island. Their 12-year-old son, Spike (played by Alfie Williams), becomes the center of the story when he travels to the mainland, where new horrors &mdash; and evolved infected &mdash; await.
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A Star-Studded Cast and Deep Themes
The film also features Ralph Fiennes, Jack O&rsquo;Connell, Erin Kellyman, and Edvin Ryding. Visually bold and emotionally charged, &lsquo;28 Years Later&rsquo; explores not just terror and survival, but themes of isolation, fear and rebuilding in a broken world. It&rsquo;s more than a zombie film &mdash; it&rsquo;s a commentary on humanity&rsquo;s instincts in the aftermath of collapse.
Box Office Boost: The Biggest Debut in the Franchise
&lsquo;28 Years Later&rsquo; is expected to earn $28&ndash;30 million internationally, bringing its worldwide opening to $56&ndash;60 million &mdash; a strong launch for a film with a $60 million budget. That makes it the largest opening in the trilogy, surpassing 28 Days Later ($10M) and 28 Weeks Later ($9.8M). At this rate, it could soon become the highest-grossing film in the series, beating &lsquo;28 Days Later&rsquo;s&rsquo; $75 million total.
The Franchise's Future Looks Bright and Bloody
With a powerful story, new characters, returning creators, and Cillian Murphy&rsquo;s comeback confirmed, the &lsquo;28 Years Later&rsquo; trilogy is off to a thrilling start &mdash; and fans are already looking forward to what comes next.
Photo Credit: 28 years later's official page&nbsp;

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