Cillian Murphy returning for '28 Years Later'? Sony says yes!
What's the story
Oscar-winning actor Cillian Murphy is confirmed to make a surprising return in the upcoming horror movie 28 Years Later, as revealed by Sony Pictures's chairman Tom Rothman during a recent interview at the Cannes Film Festival.
Rothman, while speaking to Deadline, praised director Danny Boyle's work on the project, stating, "This is Danny at his best."
He also hinted that Murphy's involvement would be in a "unique" and "expanding capacity."
Statement
'In a surprising way...in a way that grows': Rothman
Providing insights into Murphy's role in the forthcoming film, Rothman remarked, "Yes, but in a surprising way and in a way that grows, let me put it that way."
He added, "This is Danny at his best, combined with a very commercial genre, like we had with Edgar Wright and Baby Driver. Sometimes when you put a real signature director into a commercial arena, it elevates it."
Release date
'28 Years Later' is slated for June 2025 release
Sony Pictures announced that 28 Years Later, the third installment of the horror trilogy following 2002's 28 Days Later and 2007's 28 Weeks Later, is set to hit theaters in June 2025.
The announcement, made on May 10, also revealed Murphy's additional role as an executive producer on the project.
It remains uncertain whether Murphy will reprise his original character, Jim, in the upcoming film.
More about the film
Meet the ensemble cast of '28 Years Later'
In 2002, Boyle's 28 Days Later introduced audiences to Murphy's character, Jim—a lone survivor in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by a lethal zombie virus.
Set in a desolate Great Britain, the film follows Jim's quest to evade the wrath of enraged survivors. The film's acclaim led to the sequel in 2007.
Meanwhile, the ensemble cast for 28 Years Later includes Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, and Jack O'Connell.
Career highlights
Murphy's prolific career beyond '28 Days Later'
Since his portrayal of Jim in the original film, Murphy has enjoyed a successful acting career in the entertainment industry.
His notable roles include Thomas Shelby in the award-winning TV series Peaky Blinders, and the villainous Scarecrow in several DC's Batman films.
In March, Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight confirmed that Murphy would be returning to his role for an upcoming film for that franchise as well.
He last appeared in Christopher Nolan's award-winning film, Oppenheimer—currently streaming on JioCinema.