Danny Boyle sets record straight on Cillian Murphy's involvement in upcoming sequel

28 Years Later’s director Danny Boyle has broken his silence regarding speculation about Cillian Murphy’s return in the upcoming sequel.

In an exclusive conversation with Screen Rant, the filmmaker addressed fans, “So, it’s independent from the first film, but it’s still the same apocalypse 28 years later as it was for Cillian Murphy in the first film and Naomie Harris. But this is 28 years later, and we don’t know what’s happened to them [Jim and Selena]. I’m not allowed to tell you, but [Jodie Comer and Aaron Taylor-Johnson] are more than worthy stand-ins.”

This comes on the heels of producer Andrew Macdonald revealing that Murphy will not appear in the upcoming installment.

Speaking to Empire, “This, we wanted him to be involved and he wanted to be involved. He is not in the first film, but I’m hoping there will be some Jim somewhere along the line. He’s involved at the moment as an executive producer, and I hope we can work with him in some way in the future in the trilogy.”

Following the 2002 original, 28 Days Later, the Peaky Blinders star also did not return as Jim in the 2007 sequel, 28 Weeks Later.

Meanwhile, Boyle and writer Alex Garland are also gearing up for the follow-up, 28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple, which is expected to release in January 2026.

For the unversed, 28 Years Later, is set to release on June 20, 2025.