Is Cillian Murphy in 28 Years Later?

The first trailer for 28 Years Later — Danny Boyle's long-awaited return to the world of zombie apocalypses — was an instant hit online. With its unsettling voice over, blood-splattered visuals, and doom-laden tone, it was rightly hailed as one of the best trailers of 2024.

The first teaser for the zombie movie, which hits cinemas in June 2025, revealed stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes, as some of the human survivors of the rage virus that infected Britain 28 years ago. The virus, it seems, is still around, and may even have evolved into something more sinister

But where was Murphy's Jim, the OG survivor of the original movie? Many websites were quick to ask whether the emaciated zombie that rises from the floor at the 1:49 minute was, in fact, the Oppenheimer Oscar-winner.

Besides being insulting towards the 48-year-old actor — who refused to share details of the extreme diet he underwent to play the father of the atomic bomb — it also ignores the facts of what we already know about 28 Years Later.

Here's what we know about Murphy's involvement in 28 Years Later.

What happened to Cillian Murphy's character Jim in 28 Days Later?

In 2002's 28 Days Later, Murphy's bicycle courier Jim wakes up in an empty hospital following a crash. As he makes his way out into central London he discovers the capital has been abandoned, before he encounters the reason why: humans have been decimated by a virus that turns them into bloody-thirsty zombies.

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After a near-deadly run-in with some of the undead, he is rescued by Naomie Harris's Selena and they form an unlikely alliance as they head out of the city to find help. The original film ends on a moment of hope with Jim and Selena about to be rescued when they flag down a RAF fighter plane. The 2007 sequel 28 Weeks Later followed an entirely new set of characters, leaving Jim's fate in limbo.

What is Cillian Murphy's role in 28 Years Later?

After years of rumour and speculation, 28 Years Later was officially confirmed to be in development in January 2024, with original director Danny Boyle and original writer Alex Garland both set to return.

Soon after the news broke, it was revealed that the film would be the start of a new trilogy released by Sony Pictures, and that original star Cillian Murphy would be serving as an executive producer on the film "and could also possibly act in the project" explained The Hollywood Reporter, adding "although details are being quarantined".

The title of executive producer is bestowed on a multitude of roles within a film production, but — for actors especially — it is largely an honorary role, often used a bargaining chip when negotiating.

In May 2024 — not long after production began on 28 Years Later — Sony Motion Pictures Group chairman Tom Rothman clarified Murphy's involvement in the film telling Deadline: "Yes [Cillian Murphy is back in 28 Years Later], but in a surprising way and in a way that grows, let me put it that way."

In January 2024, producer Andrew McDonald finally put speculation to rest telling Empire: "We wanted him to be involved and he wanted to be involved. [Cillian Murphy] is not in the first film, but I’m hoping there will be some Jim somewhere along the line." He adds that Murphy is "involved at the moment as an executive producer, and I would hope we can work with him in some way in the future in the trilogy."

Who is the zombie in the 28 Years Later trailer?

The Guardian has confirmed that the actor playing the role of "emaciated infected" in the trailer is actually a newcomer named Angus Neill. According to their sources, the art dealer and part-time model, was handpicked for the role after being talent-spotted by director Danny Boyle who was reportedly "struck by his distinctive looks" and 28-inch waist.

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

"On set he has an extraordinary ability to hypnotise you, and working with him on the film was a very, very intense experience."

Is Cillian Murphy in the 28 Years Later sequel?

In June 2024, Candyman director Nia DaCosta was confirmed be making the 28 Years Later sequel — 28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple — and it would film back to back with Danny Boyle's movie.

In September 2024, News & Star, a local Cumberland paper, reported that Cillian Murphy had been seen on set of the 28 Years Later sequel while it was filming at Bowness Cottage in Ennerdale, in the Lake District. And they had photos to prove it. Ennerdale is where they filmed the ending of the original movie.

The paparazzi shots show the Oppenheimer star with longish hair wearing a tatty jumper, and sporting a wound on his collarbone, but distinctly un-zombie-like, which seems to confirm that the zombie in the 28 Years Later trailer is definitely not Jim.

Our guess is that — like Star Wars: The Force Awakens — 28 Years Later will end with the first glimpse of our returning hero, while the sequel (like The Last Jedi) will see them take a more central role in proceedings.

Yahoo contacted Sony Pictures to clarify whether the zombie in the 28 Years Later trailer was Murphy, and they are yet to respond.

What happens in 28 Years Later?

The official synopsis for 28 Years Later explains: "It’s been almost three decades since the rage virus escaped a biological weapons laboratory, and now, still in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amidst the infected.

"One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily-defended causeway. When one of the group leaves the island on a mission into the dark heart of the mainland, he discovers secrets, wonders, and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors as well."

28 Years Later is in UK cinemas from 20 June 2025.