So, Cillian Murphy, that guy who peaked in “Oppenheimer” (let’s be real, he was just okay in “28 Days Later”) is apparently coming back to the “28 Days Later” franchise. But here’s the kicker: you have to wait. Like, until the sequel to the sequel. 🙄 Director Danny Boyle, bless his heart, spilled the beans, saying Murphy won’t be gracing the screen in “28 Years Later” but will make a grand entrance in “The Bone Temple” in 2026. Because that makes total sense.
Boyle, in his infinite wisdom, told IGN that Murphy is “in the second one.” Groundbreaking stuff, Danny. He then dramatically added, “I shouldn’t give away too much. I’ll get killed.” Oh no, not killed! By whom? Zombie fans? Studio execs who realize this whole thing is a cash grab? 🤔
Apparently, Boyle and writer Alex Garland (who probably regrets ever starting this) envisioned “28 Years Later” as the start of a trilogy. Because what’s better than milking a dead cow? The revival stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes, who are probably wondering what they signed up for. They filmed back-to-back with “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,” directed by Nia DaCosta. A trilogy-capper is in development, but only if “28 Years Later” makes enough money. So, basically, it’s all about the Benjamins, baby! 💰
Boyle, ever the optimist, hopes that bringing back Murphy, fresh off his Oscar win (which, let’s be honest, was more about the hype than the performance), will help secure funding for the third film. Because that’s how Hollywood works. Just throw a big name at it and hope for the best. 🤷♀️
“All I can say is you have to wait for Cillian, but hopefully he will help us get the third film financed,” Boyle told Business Insider. To IGN, he added that each story “completes itself” but has a “handover section” to the next film. So, it’s ambitious, but they don’t have the money yet. Classic. Everyone’s “standing by,” including Cillian, who’s probably just waiting for the check to clear. 💸
Boyle also revealed that getting Murphy on board helped him get approval to film “28 Years Later” with iPhones. Yes, you read that right. iPhones. Because apparently, zombie apocalypses look better when filmed on a phone you use to scroll through TikTok. 📱 “You promise them Cillian Murphy, that’s quite a deflection of any technical concerns,” Boyle said. “We nakedly used that to get our own way.” Smooth move, Danny. Smooth move. 😏
Boyle’s original “28 Days Later” was a “blockbuster role” for Murphy. He played Jim, who wakes up in a hospital to find the UK has gone to hell. Fans have speculated about Murphy’s return, with some even thinking a zombie in the trailer was him. But no, it’s just some random art dealer named Angus Neill. Talk about a letdown. 😩
“28 Years Later” hits theaters on June 20, and “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” is slated for Jan. 16, 2026. Mark your calendars, folks. Or don’t. It’s your life. 🗓️
Finn McFrame, celebrated satirical mastermind and self-proclaimed “Emperor of Irony,” started his illustrious career as a cinematographer, where his expertise in capturing every single frame of a squirrel stealing a baguette earned him accolades at obscure film festivals.
Born in the glamorous town of Boring, Oregon, Finn grew up with dreams of being a Hollywood director until he realized that satire, not cinema, was his true calling—or at least the one that let him sleep until noon.
Finn McFrame: changing the world, one satirical lens flare at a time.
