**Danny Boyle Opens Up About Cillian Murphy’s Absence in ‘28 Years Later’ as New Sequel Approaches Release**
Acclaimed director Danny Boyle has spoken out regarding the conspicuous absence of Cillian Murphy in the upcoming film ‘28 Years Later’, the next chapter in the celebrated British apocalyptic horror franchise. Best known for his role as Jim in the original ‘28 Days Later’ from 2002, Murphy’s character provided a gripping focal point for fans of the series, leaving many questioning what became of him after the film’s ambiguous conclusion.
During a recent Q&A event held in New York City, Boyle, now aged 68, addressed these lingering questions. He explained that while the new film revisits the virus-ravaged world created over two decades ago, it carves a fresh narrative path independent of its predecessors. “It’s a direct return to the chaos we explored with Jim and Selena in ‘28 Days Later’, but our story now lives 28 years on from those original events,” Boyle revealed. This deliberate approach ensures continuity of the world, while allowing new stories and protagonists to take centre stage.
Rumours concerning the fate of both Jim and his fellow survivor Selena, played by Naomie Harris, have swirled ever since the first film’s ending. Boyle was careful not to divulge much, stating, “The reality is, we simply don’t know what’s happened to them. Their fate remains open.” He added a cryptic note, implying that their story might not be entirely closed, although the new film does not directly resolve their arcs.
Instead, ‘28 Years Later’ introduces a new generation of characters navigating the aftermath of the infamous Rage Virus. Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Jodie Comer lead the cast as Jamie and Isla, marking a significant shift in perspective from the original duo. Boyle praised the new leads, insisting, “They’re not replacements, but rather worthy successors who bring their own depth and tension to this universe.”
The narrative this time focuses on a family forced to venture beyond the relative safety of their secluded island after their young son, Spike, sets out on a perilous journey. This plot, which promises to expose audiences to unfamiliar corners of the post-apocalyptic world, departs from previous instalments while retaining the thematic essence that captivated fans.
Although Cillian Murphy’s Jim will not physically appear in the upcoming film, the actor is still involved behind the scenes. Producer Andrew Macdonald disclosed in an interview with Empire magazine that Murphy takes on an executive producer role for the project. Macdonald commented, “Cillian was enthusiastic about remaining involved. While he doesn’t feature in this entry, we hope to see the character resurface somewhere in the future, especially as the trilogy unfolds.”
The franchise’s expansion is set to continue beyond ‘28 Years Later’. With the film scheduled for release on 20th June 2025, director Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland have already confirmed their return for the follow-up, provisionally titled ‘28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple’, due to be released in January 2026. Garland remarked that the saga’s “natural form” always lent itself to a trilogy, noting the ambition and complexity involved in tracing the story over such an extensive timeline.
Boyle echoed this sentiment, highlighting that each new film aims to deliver “a wholly different approach” to the genre. “What’s fascinating,” he noted, “is how much can change—and how much can endure—across nearly three decades of devastation and recovery.”
As anticipation builds ahead of the film’s release, Boyle has issued a rallying cry for audiences to “support the apocalypse.” He explained that although the first and second parts have been filmed, the completion of the trilogy will depend on the box office performance of ‘28 Years Later’ and its immediate sequel. Speaking at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, he implored fans and cinema exhibitors alike: “We’ve made the first two, but the third is yet to be financed. Let’s see this story through to its end—your support can make that happen.”
With fresh characters, an evolving narrative, and a creative team intent on pushing the envelope, ‘28 Years Later’ promises to revive and refresh the apocalyptic world that first shocked audiences in 2002—all while keeping hope alive that familiar faces might one day return.