Cillian Murphy Confirms 28 Years Later Role Is Brief—But There's a Catch
Cillian Murphy is finally back in the world of 28 Years Later, but his return comes with a twist that flips expectations on their head.
Cillian Murphy is officially back in the 28 universe, but temper expectations for the second one. His role in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is brief by design - a strategic handoff to a much bigger part in the planned third film, assuming audiences actually show up for the middle chapter.
How much Murphy do we get in The Bone Temple?
Murphy told The Observer he is only in the new movie for a little bit. He reprises Jim from Danny Boyle's 2002 28 Days Later (he did not return for 28 Weeks Later), and his appearance here is basically a setup for him to take center stage in the third film.
"I am only in it for a little bit... Everyone's got to go and see the second one. I'm sure they will - it's really, really good."
The inside-baseball part: using Murphy to power the trilogy
Danny Boyle - who directed the original film and is helping steer this new trilogy - did not even pretend this was subtle. He confirmed that Murphy's limited appearance in The Bone Temple was a deliberate move to build momentum and secure the third movie.
"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."
"You promise Cillian Murphy, that's quite a deflection of any technical concerns, they soon forget. Yeah, we nakedly used that to get our own way. What better promise could you make?"
The "she" there is The Bone Temple director Nia DaCosta, who has already wrapped the film. And yes, that is some refreshingly blunt producing. The plan is clear: tease Murphy now, sell his bigger return later.
Where this lands in the 28 timeline
The Bone Temple continues the franchise decades after the Rage Virus outbreak. The new story is not just about the infected anymore - it leans into the uglier, human-driven dangers that have taken root, which is very on brand for this world.
Release, cast, and the need-to-know
- Title: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
- Director: Nia DaCosta
- Status: Filming is complete
- Release date: January 16, 2026
- Returning character: Cillian Murphy as Jim - limited screen time in this one, teed up to be central in the third film if it gets greenlit
- Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Jack O'Connell, Alfie Williams, Erin Kellyman, Chi Lewis-Parry
- Story focus: Survivors now face threats rooted in human cruelty - the infected are no longer the only danger
What needs to happen next
Murphy is tying his bigger role directly to how The Bone Temple performs. If this second film hits, his expanded comeback in the third is on deck. If not, well... everyone really does have to go see the second one.