Producer confirms Cillian Murphy won’t appear in ‘28 Years Later’ but hints at future involvement

Cillian Murphy won't reprise his role as Jim in ‘28 Years Later,’ but could return in future sequels, says producer.

Fans eagerly awaiting Cillian Murphy’s return as Jim in 28 Years Later, the upcoming third installment in the 28 Days Later franchise, may be disappointed. 

According to producer Andrew Macdonald, Murphy will not appear in the film, though he is involved as an executive producer.

Speaking with Empire, Macdonald said, "He is not in the first film, but I’m hoping there will be some Jim somewhere along the line." While this leaves room for Murphy’s potential return in future sequels, it confirms that his character won’t feature in the first installment of the planned trilogy.

Speculation about Murphy’s involvement intensified after fans thought they spotted him in the trailer for 28 Years Later. However, the emaciated zombie shown in a field is played by Angus Neill, not Murphy.

The sequel, directed by Nia DaCosta and subtitled The Bone Temple, has reportedly wrapped production and stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes. Fiennes recently teased the plot, revealing that the film follows a young boy navigating a plague-ridden Britain to find a doctor for his dying mother. Set against the scenic northern English landscape, the story explores survival amidst infected individuals and uninfected communities.

While 28 Years Later remains shrouded in mystery, fans may have to wait for the trilogy’s later installments to find out what happened to Jim after the events of the first film.