28 Years Later producer gives crushing update on ‘wholly different’ horror film

In 2002, Danny Boyle introduced the world to a zombie-infested London with horror classic 28 Days Later with Cillian Murphy in the starring role of Jim.

Months ago, the internet caught its first glimpse of the horrors waiting in 28 Years Later as the trailer for the much-anticipated sequel dropped.

The rumour that Cillian, 48, was returning for this instalment spread quickly, especially as an emaciated man with a Peaky Blinders-esque trim appeared in the trailer.

Despite the actor’s prominent cheekbones, it turned out this zombie was not Jim’s return but an unknown character played by Angus Neill.

In a devastating update, producer Andrew Macdonald has confirmed Cillian is not in this third instalment at all.

The Oppenheimer icon is listed as an executive producer and Andrew teased that fans could see Jim later in this new trilogy.

28 Years Later featured a suspiciously Cillian Murphy looking cameo (Picture: Sony Pictures) Cillian starred in the original 28 Days Later (Picture: Sundance/WireImage)

‘[On] this, we wanted him to be involved and he wanted to be involved,’ he told Empire. ‘He is not in the first film, but I’m hoping there will be some Jim somewhere along the line.’

The producer added: ‘He’s involved at the moment as an executive producer and I would hope we can work with him in some way in the future in the trilogy.’

Director Danny confessed to the outlet that his partner had warned him that everyone would think Angus was Cillian when he showed her the trailer.

He ignored her concerns but ever since the moment went viral he’s been ‘eating humble pie’.

In the 2002 classic, Jim wakes up from a coma to discover the UK has been left desolate by a virus that leaves victims brain dead and on a rampage.

Turns out he’s not returning for this instalment (Picture: Jerod Harris/FilmMagic) Aaron Taylor-Johnson is taking the leading role (Picture: Sony Pictures)

The 2007 follow-up, saw society still in the early days of the infection having only had six months to adjust; as the title 28 Weeks Later suggests.

Danny has returned for this new film and told Empire that 28 Years Later had ‘a wholly different approach’ due to the amount of time that has passed.

Now, the UK is 28 years on and has adapted to this zombified landscape with fortified areas providing sanctuary for the uninfected.

Without our leading man Jim, 28 Years Later sees Killing Eve’s Jodie Comer join forces with James Bond favourite Aaron Taylor-Johnson as they try to keep their family safe.

Cillian told The Independent: ‘I would be there in a flash. I made two movies with both of those guys, and I would love to work with them again. Of course, I’m there.’

With two more movies in the pipeline, including Nia DiCosta’s already-shot 28 Days Later: The Bone Temple, there’s plenty of time for Cillian to return.

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