Danny Boyle responded that for the moment Cillian Murphy will no longer be Jim, but the future of the saga leaves the possibility open

When it was announced in 2024 that we wouldn’t just have a third installment 28 days laterbut a completely new trilogy was planned, fans were stunned. One of those franchises trapped in the limbo of “eternal development” has finally made a leap forward, with a narrative plan that promises to expand the universe of the infected in ways never seen before.

The expansion of a terrifying universe

The first of these new films, 28 years laterdirected by the legendary Danny Boyle, will be released in theaters on June 20, 2025followed by 28 years later: The Temple of Boneswhich was filmed in parallel under the direction of Nia DaCosta. But not everything is written in stone: according to the statements of those directly involved, the success of the first film will determine the development of the end of this ambitious trilogy.

28 years later takes us nearly three decades after the events of 28 days later. The world is still strict quarantine due to rabies virusbut humanity has found a way to survive among the infected. The plot follows a group of survivors who inhabit an island, connected to the mainland by a single, well-defended causeway. However, everything changes when one of them ventures into the continent, facing the horrors of the virus that has not only mutated the infected, but also the survivors struggling to survive in this post-apocalyptic hell.

Among the cast we find names like Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams and always impressive Ralph Fiennes. With Danny Boyle behind the camera and Alex Garland in the script, this film promises not only action and terror, but also a story with great emotional and thoughtful weight.

And what about Jim?

Since the teaser was released, rumors have not taken long to emerge: is Cillian Murphy one of the infected? The official answer is clear: Jim will not appear 28 years later. However, both the actor and the producers have left open the possibility that his character will return in future episodes.

Andrew Macdonald, producer of the film, commented: “We wanted Cillian to be involved, and he wanted to be involved too. Even though he is not present in the first film, there is hope of working with him later in the trilogy. For now, Murphy fills the role executive producerleaving his return in front of the cameras as a mystery that could be solved in the last film of this new saga.

The ambition of a trilogy that does not remain superficial

According to Alex Garland, the screenwriter, the initial idea of 28 years later It was so broad in scope that condensing it into a single film would have been impossible. “Its natural form has always been a trilogy”he explained. For this reason, the first two films were shot consecutively, a move that demonstrates the team’s confidence in this new phase of the franchise.

Unlike other sagas that simply try to raise money, Garland and Boyle emphasized that this project has a solid and ambitious narrative intention. Macdonald added: “Stories of this magnitude aren’t often filmed in the UK. To be able to do it here is fantastic.”

What can we expect from The Temple of Bones?

While details are limited, we know The Temple of Bonesthe sequel to 28 years laterit’s already shot and ready to continue the story. Directed by Nia Da Costathis installment promises to delve into the post-apocalyptic universe while maintaining suspense over the fate of Jim and other possible key characters.

With an elite cast, a passionate creative team and a story that promises to surprise and terrify, 28 years later A triumphant return to the universe of the infected is announced. While waiting for its release, one thing is clear: the zombies with perfect cheekbones are not Cillian Murphy, but the world of 28 days later still full of surprises.