The theater was packed, but a hush fell as the lights dimmed. A collective breath was held when the ravaged streets of London flashed on screen, the terror fresh even after all these years. The question hung in the air, thick with anticipation: would *he* be back?
The Cillian Murphy-starrer ’28 Days Later’ franchise has been resurrected. The first movie, 28 Years Later, in the trilogy was released last year. Now, its sequel ’28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,’ is out in theaters. The fandom has had one major complaint from the first movie – the absence of Cillian Murphy’s Jim from 28 Years Later. Let’s find out if Cillian Murphy is in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple or not.
The Return: Does Cillian Murphy Appear in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple?
Think of a symphony orchestra, each instrument playing its part. For years, the 28 Days Later fandom has felt like an orchestra missing its lead violin, a melody incomplete. The question on everyone’s lips: Does 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple finally bring Jim back into the fold?
As mentioned in our 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple review, the movie revolves mainly around Doctor Kelson and his attempts to reverse the effect of the virus using Samson as his test subject.
However, by the end of the movie, it all circles back to Spike, and we get to see him teaming up with one of the Jimmys, named Kelly, after the death of Crystal.
As the movie is about to conclude, and we have lost all hope of seeing Jim, something truly unexpected happens. Cillian Murphy’s Jim appears in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, and we see him teaching his daughter about the history of the world.
His daughter then hears a distant sound and alerts her father. Both of them head out to check it out and find that Spike and Kelly are running from the infected and decide to help them. This confirms that Cillian Murphy will definitely appear in a major role in the third 28 Years Later movie, and it indeed is something that fans will look forward to.
What is Cillian Murphy’s role in the 28 Years Later trilogy?
Think of a garden after a long winter. For many, Jim’s return feels like the first bloom of spring—a promise of renewal. While his appearance in The Bone Temple is brief, it sets the stage. We now know Cillian Murphy will have a prominent role in the final film, which hints at an exploration of Jim’s life between the original outbreak and the present day.
This surprise reveal will be a major factor in filling up theaters for the final movie in the trilogy. Now, all that’s left to see is if we get a look into Jim’s story after 28 Days Later or not.
Will other original cast members return?
The resurgence of Jim throws open the doors to endless possibilities. Could Selena (Naomie Harris) reappear? What about other survivors from the original film? Bringing back familiar faces would serve as a poignant callback to the roots of the saga, while simultaneously introducing fresh dynamics to the narrative.
How does ’28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’ set up the third film?
Consider each film a chapter in a sprawling novel. The Bone Temple doesn’t just reintroduce Jim; it plants several narrative seeds. The alliance between Jim, his daughter, Spike, and Kelly is tenuous. It also raises many questions: What exactly has Jim been doing for the past two decades? How has he managed to survive? The setup is a springboard for the ultimate confrontation – whatever that may be.
What are your expectations for the third movie? Let us know in the comments.