It’s official: Cillian Murphy will return for 28 Years Later, the long-awaited sequel to Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s 28 Days Later. The news was confirmed yesterday by Sony chief Tom Rothman.
Speaking with Deadline, Rothman said about Murphy’s return, “Yes, but in a surprising way and in a way that grows, let me put it that way.”
What’s that supposed to mean? My guess is that Murphy’s character, Jim, a former bike courier who woke up from a coma into a world devastated by a “rage virus”, will be in some position of power.
Rothman added that the film is “not in any way a literal sequel.” It follows but will not address the events of 2007’s 28 Weeks Later, which Boyle, Garland, and Murphy were not involved with creatively.
28 Years Later will star Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes. It was initially reported to be a two-parter but we know it’s a trilogy with Nia DaCosta (Candyman) directing the second chapter.
This is a big get for the film as Murphy recently won an Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in Oppenheimer.
Sony Pictures has given 28 Years Later a June 20th 2025 release date.
