We Finally Know If That Emaciated Zombie Guy in 28 Years Later Is Cillian Murphy

If you’re a fan of zombie movies, you probably know 28 Days Later, the film that made us all rethink the way we look at the apocalypse. With its terrifyingly fast zombies, the movie became a cult classic, and for good reason. It’s got action, it’s got suspense, and of course, it’s got Cillian Murphy. 

As Jim, the main character, Murphy brought both vulnerability and strength to the role of a man struggling to survive in a world that’s lost its mind. Fast forward to 2024, and the long-awaited sequel, 28 Years Later, is on the way. 

After years of rumors, we finally got our first glimpse of the new film in the form of a trailer. And, well, something caught the eye of eagle-eyed fans: a shot of an emaciated zombie. A zombie that looked… oddly familiar. Could it be Jim?

Is Cillian Murphy returning to the 28 Days Later universe, but this time as one of the infected? Well, hold up. Before you start making theories or yelling at your screen, we’ve got answers. Hint: That zombie is not Murphy. But who is it? Let’s break it down and dive into what’s really happening with this highly anticipated sequel.

28 Years Later trailer—so, is that emaciated zombie Cillian Murphy?

If you’ve watched the 28 Years Later trailer (via YouTube), you probably noticed the disturbing shot of a zombie that looks like a super skinny, broken version of Cillian Murphy. It’s a quick moment, but of course, fans freaked out and started speculating that Jim, Murphy’s character, was somehow turned into one of the infected after all these years.

This was the internet’s big theory, and who can blame us? Murphy’s portrayal of Jim was so unforgettable, it’s hard not to wonder if he’s coming back, zombie-fied. But the zombie isn’t him at all.

Nope. The honor of playing that emaciated figure goes to Angus Neill, an art dealer-turned-actor who joined the film to play this creepy new role. Neill talked about how director Danny Boyle had him in mind for the part. In an interview with The Guardian: 

Danny told me he’d always had me in mind for the role. So we met up, hit it off, and I agreed to take part.

Sounds like Boyle knew exactly what he wanted for this new installment. And by all accounts, Neill got to experience just how intense it is to work with Boyle on set. He described the experience as “extraordinary” and even “hypnotic,” which, if you’ve ever seen Boyle’s movies, you know that’s not an exaggeration.

So, while Murphy may not be playing a zombie this time around, there’s still hope that Jim’s story isn’t totally over. And who knows—maybe Murphy will show up in some other way. We’ll get into that next.

Cillian Murphy wants to come back to the zombie apocalypse universe

Now, before you start mourning the loss of Jim, let’s take a look at Cillian Murphy’s thoughts on 28 Years Later. The actor has been busy with some pretty big roles in recent years, like his Oscar-nominated performance in Oppenheimer.

But even with his growing fame, Murphy hasn’t closed the door on returning to the world of zombie apocalypse. In an interview with The Independent earlier this year, Murphy shared his excitement about the possibility of reprising his role as Jim. Responding to news of the sequel: 

That’s great to hear. I didn’t know that – 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.

So, yeah, he’s definitely open to the idea. After all, it’s been a long time since he worked with director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland—last in 2007 on Sunshine—the creative minds behind 28 Days Later. By the sound of it, Murphy would love to reunite with them for another installment if it made sense.

However, Murphy hasn’t been officially confirmed for 28 Years Later. As much as he’d be happy to jump back into the world of 28 Days Later, nothing’s set in stone. That’s the tricky part about these long-awaited sequels.

Characters could return, but maybe not in the way you expect. So while Murphy’s willingness is clear, we’ll have to wait and see if Jim’s story continues in the new film or if that’s a chapter that’s been closed for good.

Still, with the plot focusing on what’s happened in the 28 Years Later world after the rage virus has spread, there’s always the chance Jim could make a surprise return. We just don’t know how yet.

28 Years Later is a fresh start for the franchise

28 Years Later isn’t just a one-off sequel. It’s actually the start of a whole new trilogy. The film is set to kick off a two-part saga, and part two has already been filmed. But first, let’s talk about the current story. In 28 Years Later, the world has been dealing with the fallout of the rage virus for nearly three decades.

The survivors are doing their best to get by, but things have gotten way worse. Some communities have found ways to live, hiding away from the infected. One group of survivors has even made a home on a small island, but they can’t stay hidden forever. 

When one of their own leaves the island to explore the mainland, he discovers a world that’s become even more terrifying than before—mutated zombies, twisted survivors, and new threats that no one could have imagined.

The movie is directed by Nia DaCosta, best known for her work on Candyman (2021), and will be co-written by Danny Boyle and Alex Garland, who were behind the original 28 Days Later film. While Boyle isn’t directing this time around, he’s still involved in the creative process, so expect the same tension and dread that made the original films so memorable.

Here’s where things get even more exciting: the sequel is the first part of a planned trilogy. The second part, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, has already been filmed, meaning we won’t have to wait long for the follow-up.

These films are being shot back-to-back, so when part one hits theaters, part two will be ready to follow shortly after. If you’ve been waiting for more 28 Days Later action, it’s a good time to be a fan.

28 Years Later is set to be released on June 20, 2025!