We’ve seen the iconic actor don various accents across a number of hit films, dress up as a scarecrow and more – but now he’ll return in the epic undead thriller on the opposing team to which he is used to batting for in the 28 franchise.
The 28 Years Later trailer was dropped this morning (December 10) ahead of its release in June 2025. Take a look:
Back in 2002, 28 Days Later was released in cinemas around the world, and was led by a young Murphy. Five years after that a sequel came in the form of 28 Weeks Later which Jeremy Renner starred in.
Boyle was in charge of directing the first of the trilogy before Juan Carlos Fresnadillo sat in the director’s chair for 28 Weeks Later.
Now, after a long wait – 18 years, to be precise – 28 Years Later will hit screens next year, with the teaser trailer already being hailed as one of the ‘best of the year’ by fans… although it proved that Murphy didn’t exactly thrive after surviving the first film.
Taking to Reddit, one user commented: “The one second shot of Cillian Murphy is giving me a bone deep sense of terror.
“Seeing the ‘hero’ end up like that makes it feel more ‘real’ than a movie should have any right to lol.”
Many people believe Cillian Murphy will return to the ’28’ film franchise as a zombie (Sony Pictures Entertainment)
Meanwhile, over on Twitter fans were getting equally excited. One person tweeted: “When elements of George A Romero and The Walking Dead come together, we could be getting one of the best horror movies this generation.”
A second added: “Zombie Cillian Murphy?”
“28 days later was the first zombie movie I watched as a kid. Now year later, I’m a man! And exited for 28 years later!” a third typed.
It’s fair to say we’ve all waited a long, long time for this – but that won’t be the case for the next movie in the franchise after 28 Years Later as Ralph Fiennes, who will also feature in the film, has previously explained there will be two more sequels – with 28 Years Later II: The Bone Temple aimed to follow suit.
Fans are buzzing for it to hit screens (Sony Pictures Entertainment)
In an interview with GQ, Taylor-Johnson, who is one of the favorites to be named as the next James Bond, spoke about returning to work alongside Boyle.
The energy, the enthusiasm, and the charisma of this filmmaker is infectious,” he said.
“He’s childlike, and has this bubbling energy that, oh my god, just reignited the love and passion for acting in me.
