Crew Member from 28 Years Later Suggests Cillian Murphy May Not Return as Zombie

Overview

Insights from a film crew member suggest Cillian Murphy is not reprising his role as a zombie in 28 Years Later.
Speculation about Murphy’s return arose from the trailer, but the actual zombie may be a local performer.
This sequel portrays a dystopian world where survivors confront transformed threats, featuring a notable cast.

The recently unveiled trailer for 28 Years Later, directed by Danny Boyle, has ignited discussions about Cillian Murphy’s potential involvement in this new installment of the revered horror series. Fans were quick to speculate that Murphy, who gained recognition in the original 28 Days Later, might be seen again, this time as a brain-hungry zombie. However, recent insights from a crew member suggest that those hopes may be unfounded. Murphy, who invigorated the franchise in 2002 alongside Brendan Gleeson and Naomie Harris, has continued to experience significant success in roles like physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, for which he recently received an Academy Award for Best Actor.

The preliminary trailer tantalizes viewers with intense and eerie glimpses into the film, showcasing chaotic scenes such as zombies sprinting downhill and ominous piles of skulls that hint at horrific rituals. One particularly alarming moment features a zombie ambushing Jodie Comer from a field. Although many fans assumed that this zombie might signal a surprising cameo from Murphy, evidence suggests that this is not the case, leaving audiences eager to discover Murphy’s true role in the narrative.

Cillian Murphy ≠ Zombie in 28 Years Later

According to a source from the film’s production, Cillian Murphy does not play the zombie featured in the trailer. The individual, known as PJ on Twitter, claims to have witnessed the filming while working as a freelancer in Northumberland. They clarified that the character rising from the field is actually a local runner hired as a stand-in for the zombie. While it’s always wise to approach such claims with skepticism until formally verified, this assertion aligns with reports from reputable sources like NME and The Guardian, which also indicate that the terrifying figure is indeed a model and art dealer named Angus Neill, who caught Boyle’s attention with his striking appearance.

For anyone saying this is Cillian Murphy, I’m afraid it isn’t. I worked on the film up in Northumberland when they were filming this exact scene. This scene is awesome though! #28YearsLater pic.twitter.com/LZ8fpE2hLi — P.J (@creepingjesus00) December 10, 2024

As the third installment in this gripping zombie trilogy, 28 Years Later further explores the aftermath of a deadly rage virus that escaped from a bioweapons lab. Despite stringent quarantines, a segment of the population manages to survive the onslaught of infected individuals. When a group of these survivors sets sail from an isolated island, they encounter a landscape filled not only with grotesque monstrous beings but also unnerving transformations among other survivors. The chilling first movie poster gave audiences a glimpse of what awaits them, revealing terrifying images such as towering heaps of skulls.

Boasting a production budget of $75 million, 28 Years Later is poised to become the largest film ever shot using an iPhone. The cast will include well-known names like Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes, with the movie set for release on June 20, 2025.

Source:Twitter

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