The highly-anticipated trailer for 28 Years Later, the third instalment in the 28 Days Later franchise, has ignited fan speculation. Nearly two decades after 28 Weeks Later (2007), the latest chapter in the apocalyptic saga is set to debut next summer, and its trailer has already given audiences plenty to discuss. At the centre of the buzz is a fleeting moment featuring what appears to be a zombified version of Jim, the bike courier played by Cillian Murphy in the 2002 original. The scene, showing the dishevelled figure behind Jodie Comer’s character in a field, has left fans wondering if the Oppenheimer star will reprise his role.
Cillian Murphy: Back or Not?
Murphy’s name is conspicuously absent from the new film’s promotional posters and cast list, although he is credited as an executive producer on Sony Pictures’ website. His involvement has been a subject of fan speculation for years, with some holding out hope that Jim would return to the franchise in some capacity.
The brief glimpse of the zombie-like figure in the trailer only added fuel to the fire. Social media lit up with theories, with some fans claiming it was unmistakably Murphy and others debating whether it was a clever marketing ploy. One fan quipped, “If it’s Jim, this changes everything!”
Meanwhile, the confirmed cast includes Jodie Comer (Killing Eve), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (The Fall Guy), and Ralph Fiennes (Conclave). In the trailer, all three actors battle infected hordes, setting the stage for a new ensemble-led story.
A Post-Apocalyptic Nightmare
28 Years Later is set nearly three decades after the initial outbreak of the rage virus, which devastated humanity in 28 Days Later. The new film explores the lives of survivors living in quarantine on a remote island, free from infection but isolated from the rest of the world.
When one member of the group ventures to the mainland, they uncover horrifying secrets. Not only have the infected evolved into even more terrifying forms, but survivors on the mainland have also mutated unexpectedly.
The tagline, “Time didn’t heal anything,” captures the grim tone of the movie. The trailer, filled with eerie nostalgia and high-stakes action, begins with a haunting scene of children watching Teletubbies on a vintage TV—a chilling juxtaposition to the chaos that follows.
Flashes of fight scenes are set to the ominous rhythm of Rudyard Kipling’s war poem Boots. The camera lingers on unsettling imagery: a church with shattered windows, graffiti quoting the Bible (“Behold, he is coming with the clouds”), and a pile of skulls in a clearing.
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Is Jim the Key?
The cryptic Bible quote in the trailer includes the name “Jimmy,” leading fans to connect it to Murphy’s character. While the trailer offers no confirmation, some believe Jim could play a pivotal role in the film’s story, potentially tied to the virus’s mutation or the survivors’ struggle.
Social media was ablaze with theories. Some fans joked about Murphy’s dedication to method acting, while others expressed concern that the trailer might have spoiled a significant twist. One fan remarked, “I hope they haven’t given away too much—this could have been an amazing reveal!”
A Familiar Creative Team
The franchise owes much of its success to writer Alex Garland and director Danny Boyle, who reunited for 28 Years Later. Boyle, who famously described 28 Days Later as a horror-thriller rather than a zombie movie, once again brings his unique vision to the franchise.
28 Weeks Later, the 2007 sequel directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, introduced a new cast and expanded the story’s scope. This third instalment blends fresh faces with the series’ established themes of survival and despair.
Release and Expectations
28 Years Later will hit theatres on 20 June, promising a blend of tension, gore, and thought-provoking storytelling. Whether or not Murphy returns, fans are eager to see how the franchise evolves and whether the new chapter will live up to the legacy of its predecessors.
With its mix of new characters, returning creators, and hints of past connections, 28 Years Later is shaping into one of 2024’s most talked-about films. Will Jim’s fate finally be revealed? Fans won’t have to wait much longer to find out.
