Cillian Murphy is poised to make a thrilling return to the world of 28 Days Later with the highly anticipated trilogy that kicks off this summer with 28 Years Later. However, there are some intriguing twists in the plot.
Director Danny Boyle, known for his work in Trainspotting, has shared some tantalizing insights about Murphy’s role in this latest cinematic endeavor. The upcoming trilogy promises to expand the chilling narrative established alongside Alex Garland, introducing a new wave of interconnected stories set against the backdrop of a post-apocalyptic world. Yet, fans should note that Murphy will not be featured in the first installment, which brings to life a new lead character named Spike, a 12-year-old boy played by Alfie Williams. His family, portrayed by the talented Jodie Comer and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, is caught in the chaos of a zombie outbreak.
Boyle has emphasized the ambitious nature of this project, stating, “Although each story completes itself, there’s a handover section to the next film as well. So it’s very ambitious. We haven’t got the money for the third one yet. It will depend how the first one does, I guess.” His remarks suggest that Murphy’s return hinges on the performance of the first two films.
“But hopefully if we do ok, they’ll give us the go-ahead for the money and for the third one. Everybody’s standing by for that, really. Including Cillian,” confirmed Boyle regarding Murphy’s anticipated involvement.
Reports indicate that Murphy is slated to make a cameo at the conclusion of the Nia DaCosta-directed follow-up, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which is set to explore the immediate aftermath of events introduced in Boyle’s reboot and is scheduled to hit theaters next January.
“He is in the second one,” Boyle teased. “I shouldn’t give away too much. I’ll get killed.” This suggests Murphy’s appearance will likely serve to tantalize audiences regarding what’s to come in the third film, which Sony has yet to officially greenlight.
Boyle further elaborated, “You know that thing about sequels, you want to push it on and take huge risks.” He also praised Sony Pictures for allowing creative freedom: “They did allow us to take great liberties with 28 Years Later. They could have insisted, ‘Oh no, it needs to be more sequel-y and traditional.’ But we said, ‘Yeah, Cillian is going to be in it, but not quite in the first one.’ So fair play to them. They’ve been supportive.”
28 Years Later is set to open on June 20, 2023.
What can we expect from 28 Years Later? The film seems poised to deliver a fresh take on the zombie genre while honoring the legacy of its predecessor.
Is Cillian Murphy confirmed to appear in all films of the trilogy? While he won’t be in the first film, he is confirmed for the second film, with a potential setup for the third.
When will 28 Years Later be released? The movie is scheduled to release in theaters on June 20, 2023.
Will this trilogy be connected to the original 28 Days Later? Yes, the trilogy aims to expand the universe introduced by Danny Boyle and Alex Garland through interconnected stories.
What new characters will we see in 28 Years Later? The first film introduces a new central character, Spike, played by Alfie Williams, who navigates the post-apocalyptic world alongside his family.
This summer marks an exciting return to a beloved franchise, and as we await the premiere of 28 Years Later, there’s no better time to dive deeper into the world of horror cinema. Continue exploring related content to stay updated on the latest in film and entertainment. Check out Moyens I/O for more info.