One of the most popular theories about 28 Years Later has been debunked ahead of the film’s release. The upcoming 28 Years Later is highly anticipated since it will return to the post-apocalyptic version of the United Kingdom that was featured in 2002’s 28 Days Later and 2007’s 28 Weeks Later. Not only will 28 Years Later be the first film in the franchise in 18 years, but it will also be the first movie in a new trilogy. This means that 28 Years Later will set up a larger story that will likely include many intriguing characters.

28 Years Later’s cast includes Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, and Jack O’Connell. Cillian Murphy will also reprise his role as Jim, but he unfortunately won’t appear in the first movie in the trilogy. Instead, fans can expect to see Jim in either the sequel, which is тιтled 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, or the third movie. Even though Jim will not be in the movie, a popular fan theory based on the trailer for 28 Years Later revolves around Murphy’s character. However, this 28 Years Later fan theory has now been proven to be untrue.

28 Years Later’s Trailers Created A Theory That “Jimmy” Was Cillian Murphy’s Jim

A Character Named Jimmy Is Referenced Several Times In The 28 Years Later Trailers

While Jim will reportedly not appear in the movie, many fans believed that the trailers for 28 Years Later referenced Cillian Murphy’s character. In the trailers for the upcoming horror movie, there are several creepy references to a person named Jimmy. Firstly, a sH๏τ in the trailer reveals that someone scratched the name Jimmy next to a message on a wall which reads, “Behold, he is coming with the clouds.” Secondly, the name Jimmy is carved into the body of an infected man who is hanging upside down.

It is unclear if these messages were written by the mysterious Jimmy character or addressed to him, but it will likely be important for 28 Years Later’s story. Since Murphy’s character from the original 28 Days Later movie was named Jim, many fans have understandably theorized that he now goes by the name Jimmy. This theory states that Jim has changed his name because he is a much darker character than what he was in the original movie, and suggests that he has become a cult leader years into the zombie apocalypse.

If this theory were true, then these messages could tease Murphy’s eventual return to the franchise. Even though he is supposedly not appearing in 28 Years Later, the characters could have constantly seen his name etched onto walls and even on people’s bodies. This could have built up anticipation for the second and third movies in the trilogy. However, ahead of 28 Years Later’s June 20, 2025 release date, it seems that this theory has been officially debunked.

28 Years Later’s Jimmy Is Confirmed To Be A New Character, Not Cillian Murphy

Jack O’Connell Will Play Jimmy In 28 Years Later

In an interview with GQ ahead of the release of 28 Years Later, O’Connell confirmed that his character’s name is Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal. O’Connell actually did this interview to promote the release of Sinners, but his role in 28 Years Later also came up at the end, which allowed him to tease that Jimmy Crystal will be a very dark character. A character who goes by the name of Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal sounds like he would be a cult leader, so I have no doubt that O’Connell will be playing a terrifying figure in 28 Years Later.

The reveal that Jimmy is referring to O’Connell’s character also makes sense when considering another scene in the movie’s trailer. One of the children at the beginning of the first 28 Years Later trailer is addressed as Jimmy. This scene seems like it takes place at the beginning of the outbreak, so it’s likely that O’Connell’s character grew up during the apocalypse. Because of this, it wouldn’t be surprising if Jimmy evolved from an innocent child to a menacing cult leader.

28 Years Later’s Jimmy Not Being Cillian Murphy’s Jim Is For The Best

Cillian Murphy’s Jim Can Return As A Hero In The 28 Years Later Trilogy

Since it has been confirmed that O’Connell is playing the mysterious Jimmy character, it is now once again unknown what role Murphy’s Jim will play in the new trilogy. At the end of 28 Days Later, Jim, Selena, and Hannah wave to a plane flying over the U.K., which suggests that they were rescued and left the zombie-filled country. However, if Murphy is reprising his role in the new trilogy, then it’s likely that he will return to the U.K. for some reason.

Regardless of what role Jim plays in the new trilogy, it is best if he returns as a hero, rather than a villain. Jimmy was a kindhearted man in the original movie, so most fans are likely expecting him to have similar traits when he does return. Since Jim is such a fan-favorite character, it would be a huge risk to turn him into a villain in the 28 Years Later trilogy. Instead of being a villain, perhaps Jim can help the other characters in the trilogy take down O’Connell’s Jimmy, who may be the main antagonist of the trilogy.

Could 28 Years Later’s Cult Leader Jimmy Be Connected To Jim?

Why Is Jack O’Connell’s Character Named Jimmy In 28 Years Later?

Since Jim was seemingly rescued from the U.K. at the end of 28 Days Later, it’s unlikely that he is connected to O’Connell’s character. However, it’s interesting that their names are so similar. Since Jim is the most popular character in the franchise, it’s surprising that director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland named a major new character Jimmy. Since they made this choice, they must want viewers to draw comparisons between the two characters.

Perhaps Jim will be the main hero of the trilogy, while Jimmy will be the main villain. Jimmy could possibly be a potential version of what Jim could have become if things turned out differently for him. It’s possible that Jimmy will try to bring out Jim’s dark side in future 28 Years Later movies. Since the first film in the trilogy hasn’t been released yet, this is all speculation, but it will be interesting to learn why O’Connell’s character is named Jimmy in 28 Years Later.

Source: GQ