28 Years Later

Danny Boyle and Alex Garland ’s long - look sequel28 Years Laterwill reportedly spawn a trilogy of raw movies lay out nearly three decades after the franchise ’s original movie , and the latest update about the return of Cillian Murphy ’s Jim take in one gloomy hypothesis seem even more believable . The theatrical release of the ground - separate 2002 repugnance classic ended on an optimistic note , whiletwo of its alternate endings were much more grim . The long - bear sequel28 Years Lateris set to fall in line with the original theatrical release though , in which Jim live on the picture ’s result .

It was to begin with believed thatCillian Murphy would not be returning for the sequelbefore a abbreviated ikon in the movie ’s first trailer appeared to show him as an pinched living dead . However , after clarification that the figure in the house trailer was not Cillian Murphy ’s Jim , fans have still wondered if the franchise ’s first protagonist would bring even a small part in the new trilogy . As it put up , he is still not reported to be in the28 Years Latercast , but a recent update from conductor Danny Boyle himself sparked fresh Leslie Townes Hope that Jim ’s tale is not over yet .

Cillian Murphy’s Planned Franchise Return Increases The Odds That 28 Years Later Teases Jim’s Story

Director Danny Boyle Teased His Return At CinemaCon

At Sony ’s 2025 CinemaCon presentation , for whichScreenRantwas in attending , anew trailer for28 Years Laterwas revealed , and Danny Boyle teased on - microscope stage that Cillian Murphy may repay during the planned trilogy of motion picture . As Boyle note to the audience , " … like all good things in lifespan , you may have to wait a short while for him to make his appearance . " That do it seem as thoughCillian Murphy wo n’t return for28 Years Later , but he could be ask in the second part of the trilogy,28 Years Later : The Bone Templeor the nameless third chapter .

The duo of Alex Garland and Danny Boyle are returning for 28 yr Later , a long - awaited subsequence to the zombie film that changed the musical style .

If the fibre of Jim is to regress to the narrative , it would be a massive moment for the franchise . While Cillian Murphy was an up - and - arrival when28 Days Laterwas released , he ’s a bona fide megastar now . It seems unconvincing that he ’ll render for just a minor role or cameo ; if he has a substantial role , it would take to be build up properly . That do it seem extremely likely thateven if Jim does n’t devolve for28 old age Later , his office will be razz in some wayduring the movie .

28 Years Later - Poster

Cillian Murphy Is 28 Years Later’s Jimmy & A Villain According To A Convincing Theory

Jim’s Path From The Original Movie Could Be A Dark One

A pair of image from the28 Years Latertrailershowed the name " Jimmy " in auspicious locating ( the side of a building and carved into the consistency of an septic gentleman’s gentleman hanging from his ankles ) , which by nature has sparked the notion that it ’s a reference to Jim . If those locations are any indication , aparticularly dark theory about Jim ’s fate could test true . Despite surviving the torturing events at the military estate where he sought " the solution to infection " , Jim could have become wrench over time by desperation , grief , famishment , or any number of woes .

The cautiously - manufacture skull woodland , graffiti across multiple construction , and scene with children and masked character all conjure images of a distorted religion .

It designate toa convincing hypothesis about what really pass to Jim : he became a maniac cult leader . The28 Years Latertrailer is rife with cultus - like imaging ; the cautiously - reconstruct skull forest , graffiti across multiple buildings , and scenes with baby and mask characters all conjure images of a twisted faith . The dawdler also failed to reveal ( or at least clarify the individuality of ) a villain beyond the still - running Infected , which mean thatthey could be rig up to give away Jim as the primary antagonist of Jodie Comer , Aaron Taylor - Johnson , and Ralph Fiennes ' characters .

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Custom image by Bill Dubiel

I’ll Be Shocked If 28 Years Later’s Jimmy Teases Don’t Set Up Cillian Murphy’s Return Now

It Would Be A Major Moment For The Franchise

The fan theories about Cillian Murphy ’s Jim have campaign wild ever since28 Years Laterwas announced , helped along by the Irish actor ’s his Oscar - winning execution in the corner situation crash hitOppenheimer . With both Danny Boyle and Alex Garland returning for a trilogy , it seems like there ’s no way of life that Cillian Murphy would n’t make an appearance as well . On top of that , the annoyer of a significant character bid " Jimmy " feels like far too much of a coincidencefor it to not be a reference to the first movie ’s hero .

It seems inevitable thatthe return of Jim is no longer a question of if , but of when . With Danny Boyle ’s CinemaCon tease now in play , it seems in all probability that28 Years Laterwill put up the build - up to Jim ’s income tax return in some fashion , whether as a hero or as a scoundrel . However , move over what audiences have already seen in the28 Years Latertrailer , a disconsolate fate for his persona seems like a foregone ending .

Cast

Cillian Murphy’s Jim smiles and looks up in 28 Days Later ending,

A composite image of Ralph Fiennes covered in blood in front of Aaron Taylor Johnson running from zombies in 28 Years Later.

Jimmy graffiti image from 28 Years Later trailer

Headshot Of Jodie Comer In The Premiere Of The Bikeriders

Headshot Of Aaron Taylor-Johnson In The World Premiere of

Headshot Of Jack O’Connell

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Movies

28 Years Later

28 Days Later