Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for 28 Years LaterEven though 28 Years Later is receiving very positive reviews, the highly anticipated return of Cillian Murphy’s Jim doesn’t take place in the film. Fans of 2002’s 28 Days Later and its sequel, 2007’s 28 Weeks Later, have been waiting for the new movie in the franchise for a long time. Thankfully, the recently released 28 Years Later doesn’t disappoint. So far, reviews for 28 Years Later have been generally positive, with Screen Rant’s own Mary Kᴀssel giving it a score of 7 out of 10.

Even though it continues the story of the previous two movies in the franchise, 28 Years Later immediately reverses the ending of 28 Weeks Later, which saw the infected in Paris. 28 Years Later establishes that the Rage Virus is contained to the United Kingdom. Since Murphy’s character seemingly left the U.K. at the end of the original movie, it is still not known how he will return. While he will eventually appear in the trilogy, Murphy does not have a role in the first 28 Years Later film, which may disappoint some fans.

Cillian Murphy Was Never Going To Be In 28 Years Later

28 Years Later Begins A New Era For The Franchise

Even though it has been confirmed that Murphy will appear in the new trilogy, he was never planned to have a role in the first 28 Years Later film. Rather than following Jim years after the events of the original movie, 28 Years Later was originally developed as a new story. In fact, when writer Alex Garland and director Danny Boyle originally started developing the new movie, they had no clue if Murphy would even be interested in returning to the franchise.

Therefore, 28 Years Later was never meant to be a continuation of Jim’s story. Instead, Garland and Boyle came up with a story that can be told across three movies that is primarily centered on one family. The first film introduces Jamie, Isla, and Spike, the three members of this family. While Isla dies at the end of 28 Years Later, it should be interesting to see what roles Jamie and Spike have in the sequel, which will also feature characters like Ralph Fiennes’ Dr. Kelson and Jack O’Connell’s Jimmy.

What Danny Boyle Has Said About Cillian Murphy Not Being In 28 Years Later

Boyle & Murphy Have Not Reunited Yet

Ever since it was announced that Murphy would appear in the 28 Years Later trilogy, fans have been theorizing what his role will be. Originally, many fans thought Murphy appeared as an infected in the first trailer for 28 Years Later. However, this theory was quickly debunked. Obviously, fans have had a lot of questions for Boyle about Jim’s inclusion in the new trilogy, but the director has been quite тιԍнт-lipped about the fates of Cillian Murphy and Naomie Harris’ characters. In an interview before the release of 28 Years Later, Boyle said:

So, it’s independent from the first film, but it’s still the same apocalypse 28 years later as it was for Cillian Murphy in the first film and Naomie Harris. But this is 28 years later, and we don’t know what’s happened to them [Jim and Selena].

Based on his comments, it’s clear that Boyle wanted the first movie in the new trilogy to not be too closely tied to 28 Days Later. However, beyond the first 28 Years Later movie, it’s obvious that Boyle and Garland have a more ambitious plan for the trilogy. Therefore, the director has hinted at when Murphy’s character will return in the upcoming sequels. Thankfully, according to Boyle, fans won’t have to wait too long to see Jim again after 28 Years Later.

There Are Plans For Cillian Murphy To Return After 28 Years Later

Murphy Will Return As Jim Sooner Rather Than Later

Ahead of the release of the trilogy’s first movie, Boyle confirmed that Cillian Murphy will appear at the end of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Since the upcoming sequel has already been sH๏τ, it seems like Murphy has already filmed new scenes as Jim. Currently, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is slated for a January 16, 2025 release date, which means fans only have to wait about seven months to see Murphy in the franchise again. Talking about Murphy’s role in the second film, which is directed by Nia DaCosta, Boyle said:

She [DaCosta] gets a bit of Cillian at the end. All I can say is you have to wait for Cillian, but hopefully he will help us get the third film financed.

While Murphy may only have a minor role in The Bone Temple, it seems like he will be one of the main characters in the third 28 Years Later movie. As Boyle notes, he is hoping Murphy’s inclusion ensures that they get funding to make the third movie. Boyle has also revealed that he plans to direct the third movie, so he and Murphy will hopefully reunite soon. Therefore, while Murphy didn’t appear in 28 Years Later, there are many reasons to be excited for the next two movies in the trilogy.