Cillian Murphy Eyes Return as 28 Years Later Sequel Moves Forward
With 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple earning rave reviews, a third film is officially in development. Cillian Murphy is in talks to reprise his iconic role, and Alex Garland is set to write the script, though the director and title remain under wraps.
After the explosive debut of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which wowed critics earlier this week, the franchise is gearing up for its third installment. Cillian Murphy, who first captured audiences as Jim in 28 Days Later, is currently in discussions to return for the next chapter. Alex Garland, the creative mind behind the script, is also set to come back, but the official title and director for the sequel have yet to be announced.
Franchise Plans and Directorial Changes
The trilogy has always been part of the long-term vision for the series. Sony made the decision to film the first two movies back-to-back, holding off on the green light for the third until now. Danny Boyle directed 28 Years Later, but Nia DaCosta took the reins for The Bone Temple. Boyle has previously expressed interest in returning to direct the final chapter.
Box Office Success and Critical Acclaim
The studio’s confidence in wrapping up the trilogy is well-founded. 28 Years Later delivered one of the year’s biggest horror openings, raking in over $150 million at the box office since its June release. The film currently boasts an impressive 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Early reactions to the upcoming sequel have been overwhelmingly positive, with some calling it
"one of the greatest horror movies of the decade"
and
"nastier and – surprisingly – funnier than the first part."
Returning Cast and New Faces
The Bone Temple will see Ralph Fiennes and Jack O'Connell reprise their roles as Dr. Ian Kelson and Jimmy Crystal, respectively, from 28 Years Later. Alfie Williams joins the cast as Spike, a new addition to Jimmy’s cult. Murphy makes a brief appearance as Jim, the bike courier who survived the original Rage Virus outbreak in 2002’s 28 Days Later, setting the stage for his expanded role in the third film.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is set to hit theaters on January 16. While fans wait for more details on the trilogy’s conclusion, there’s plenty of buzz about what’s next for this landmark horror series.