The biggest question from the first trailer for Danny Boyle’s highly anticipated sequel,28 Years Later, has finally been answered - is thatCillian Murphyas a zombie? The intense trailer was released earlier this week, and the unsettling vibe had many people talking. With the return of Alex Garland (Director of A24’sCivil War) as the screenwriter for the film, there’s plenty to be excited about for this long-awaited continuation. While there was a loose continuation in 2008’s28 Weeks Later, this latest entry reunites the original writer and director of28 Days Later. All that remained was to see if the original cast would return.
One brief shot in the trailer has set the internet ablaze with speculation that Cillian Murphy, who played Jim in the original film, has indeed returned, but as a zombie. Fans have taken to social media to express their belief that the zombie’s facial features resemble that of theOppenheimeractor, leading to humorous debate about the nature of Murphy’s role in the film. However, a new report fromThe Guardianhas officially confirmed that the anorexic zombie in the trailer is, in fact, not Cillian Murphy.
The site has revealed that the role, which is credited as “emaciated zombie,” is played by an art dealer named Angus Neill. The actor told The Guardian,“Danny had always had me in mind for the role. So we met up, hit it off, and I agreed to take part. On set, he has an extraordinary ability to hypnotize you, and working with him on the film was a very, very intense experience.”
So, Is Cillian Murphy in ‘28 Years Later’ Or Not?
Now that the question of the Cillian Murphy-looking zombie has been answered, one other question still remains: is the Oscar-winning actor in the upcoming film? Well, if behind-the-scenes photos, initial reports, and Murphy’s own comments are anything to go by, the answer is more than likely yes. The actor was spotted filming in the same location that the28 Years Laterfilm and its sequel, The Bone Temple, are scheduled to shoot, with a thread onRedditsupposedly showing Murphy on set.
First Trailer for Long-Awaited Horror Sequel ‘28 Years Later’ Is Unleashed
After all this time, we return to Danny Boyle’s rage-fueled zombie franchise.
Moreover, Cillian Murphy is credited as an Executive Producer on the film, further lending credence that the actor will make an appearance in the film.28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple, which is directed by Nia DaCosta and has already wrapped production, is also apparently set to feature Cillian Murphy in some capacity. Not much is known about either film, besides comments made byRalph Fiennes that revealed some interesting detailsabout the story of the trilogy.
Murphy spoke about returning to the world created by Boyle and Garland in January, saying in an article released bythe Independentthat“I would be there in a flash. I made two movies with both of those guys, and I would love to work with them again. Of course, I’m there.”With two movies of the new series already finished with filming and a third still on the way, the28 Years Latertrilogy is sure to feature plenty of surprises besides Cillian Murphy’s potential return.
28 Years Later
