22 Years Later, Cillian Murphy Hints at Return to $297M Post-Apocalyptic Phenomenon
Cillian Murphy could be heading back to the apocalypse. In a new Variety interview, the Oscar winner teases involvement in 28 Years Later The Bone Temple — a potential homecoming to the 28 Days Later universe that grew into a $297 million franchise.
So, yes: Cillian Murphy is heading back into the rage-infected apocalypse. Not as the lead, not even close, but he is in the next chapter. And the way everyone involved is talking about it, the plan is bigger (and a little weirder) than a simple nostalgia cameo.
Murphy finally confirms he is back (a little)
In a new chat with Variety, Murphy acknowledged he is involved in the follow-up film titled 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. He kept expectations in check, but he also hyped what is coming next.
'I think Nia DaCosta has made an extraordinary film, and it is an amazing accompaniment to Danny's movie. I'm only in it a tiny bit, but I'm really proud of it.'
Translation: do not expect Jim front and center, but do expect a handoff that connects directly to what Danny Boyle just did with 28 Years Later.
Wait, what is The Bone Temple exactly?
This is the next installment after the recently released 28 Years Later. The Bone Temple is still early in development, but the creative lineup is set, and some of the cast is already locked to return. One inside-baseball wrinkle: Murphy is praising Nia DaCosta's movie as if it is finished, even though the project is described as early days. Either he has seen material we have not, or they are farther along than the cautious language suggests.
- Director: Nia DaCosta
- Producers: Danny Boyle and Alex Garland (the original film's key duo are steering from the producer side this time)
- Returning cast from 28 Years Later: Ralph Fiennes and Aaron Taylor-Johnson are back
- Character spotlight: Ralph Fiennes' Dr. Ian Kelson is positioned as a major focus here — the title The Bone Temple pretty much telegraphs his importance
- Story direction: deeper dive into the infected's true nature, more moral gray areas, and heavier emphasis on cults, mythology, human violence, redemption, and human nature
- Murphy's role: present, but small — he is clear about the 'tiny bit' part
- Status: described as the earliest stages of development, even as the creative team keeps calling their shots
Why Murphy was missing from 28 Years Later
Fans absolutely noticed that Jim did not show up in the newest film that relaunched the franchise. Danny Boyle addressed that without actually giving the game away. He explained that the latest movie runs on the same apocalypse timeline as 28 Days Later — it is just 28 years down the road — and that Jim and Selena's fates are intentionally left offscreen for now. The vibe was: please stop asking, because the answer is being saved for the next movie. He also said the new leads are worthy heirs to carry the story in the meantime.
The franchise by the numbers (and where to watch)
The original 28 Days Later turned into a full-on cult classic that kicked off a franchise now sitting around $297 million worldwide, per The Numbers. For that first film specifically: box office was about $72 million, and Rotten Tomatoes pegs it at 87% with audiences at 85%.
Streaming heads-up: the source material flagged 28 Days Later as available on Netflix, and also said 28 Years Later is streaming on Netflix in the US. Availability changes constantly, so consider that a snapshot and check your app before planning a rewatch.
Bottom line: The Bone Temple is shaping up as the bridge between Boyle's new film and a bigger endgame, with DaCosta steering and Murphy popping in to keep the thread to Jim alive. Small role or not, that is the kind of connective tissue this series thrives on.