28 Years Later: Cillian Murphy's Role in the Sequels

The long-awaited sequel of the post-apocalyptic film series ,"28 Years Later", will be released soon. But it won't stop there: "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" has already been shot and director Danny Boyle would like a third "28 Years Later" film. In an interview with the entertainment portal IGN, Boyle has now clarified once again what Cillian Murphy's role will look like in the sequels.

First of all, it is important to mention that a third film has not yet been confirmed. Whether this part can be realized probably depends on the box office takings of "28 Years Later". The director said:

"Hopefully if we do ok, they'll give us the go-ahead [...] for the third one. Everybody's standing by for that, really. Including Cillian."

So Murphy would probably be in a third movie. But Boyle revealed that the Hollywood star will also be involved in the second part. However, the director did not want to go into further detail. So we can only speculate as to how big Murphy's role in "The Bone Temple" will be.

Boyle also provided information on the extent to which his planned sequel trilogy will be connected. Basically, the films will each have self-contained plots. At the end of "28 Years Later", however, there would be a kind of epilogue that would introduce "The Bone Temple". A connecting element between the films is above all the new character Spike (Alfie Williams), who will appear in the entire trilogy.

Boyle also announced that he would be available to direct a third film. "28 Years: The Bone Temple" was still directed by "The Marvels" director Nia DaCosta. The screenplays for "28 Years Later" and "The Bone Temple" were written by "Ex Machina" mastermind Alex Garland. Garland had already worked with Boyle on the first film "28 Days Later".

Incidentally, you won't have to wait much longer for "28 Years Later": the theatrical release is scheduled for June 20, 2025. The break for "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" is only short: The sequel awaits us as early as January 16, 2026.

Film recommendations for fans of the "28" series

If you can't get enough of gripping post-apocalyptic films, we've picked out a few recommendations here to get you in the mood for the upcoming "28 Years Later".

28 Days Later & 28 Weeks Later

The first films must of course be mentioned here. Before going to the cinema to see "28 Years Later", it is a good idea to watch its two predecessors. "28 Days Later" revolutionized the zombie genre in 2003. Instead of the shuffling undead, we encountered fast-moving infected. The empty streets of London, the disturbingly calm opening and the confrontation with the dark side of humanity made this film a modern classic of the genre. The sequel, "28 Weeks Later", was released in 2007. The film showed how quickly even organized structures can crumble in the post-apocalypse. Both films not only deliver horror, but also raise questions about morality, survival and collective responsibility.

Children of Men

Alfonso Cuarón's "Children of Men" is set in a world without a future: humanity is barren, governments have collapsed, violence and despair rule everyday life. In this bleak setting, the viewer accompanies a cynical man who suddenly becomes a beacon of hope. What makes this film so special is its uncompromising staging: dirty streets, documentary-style camerawork and the complete absence of classic heroic images. For fans of the "28" series who are less interested in zombies and more interested in dystopian societies, "Children of Men" is a must-see.

The Road

"The Road" is based on the novel of the same name by Cormac McCarthy and is a deeply sad but impressive film. In a burnt-out world without color, without plants and without hope, we accompany a father and his son on their journey through a post-apocalyptic wasteland. What they encounter is not horror in the form of infected people – but man himself: Cannibalism, greed, fear. With minimalist imagery and hardly any music, the film tells a story about survival, but also about love, responsibility and what remains of being human when everything else has disappeared.

Train to Busan

The South Korean hit "Train to Busan" takes zombie horror back to its roots – and to a new level at the same time. A zombie epidemic breaks out on a high-speed train and the passengers fight for survival. It is also about selflessness, family and the price of humanity in extreme situations. The infected are lightning-fast, aggressive and unpredictable – in the style of the "28" series.

I Am Legend

In "I Am Legend", Will Smith fights as one of the last survivors in New York against a mutation that has turned people into aggressive, vampire-like creatures. The film's greatest strength lies in its loneliness: the deserted streets, the silence, the psychological strain of being alone create an oppressive atmosphere that is also reminiscent of the early days of "28 Days Later". The film is simultaneously action, horror and melancholy drama. A sequel starring Will Smith and Michael B. Jordan is currently in development. You can watch our movie preview here!