David Bridges
Cillian Murphy is poised for a thrilling comeback to the chilling universe of 28 Days Later as he joins the highly anticipated trilogy that will launch with 28 Years Later this summer. However, fans should be aware that there are some intriguing details surrounding his return.
The acclaimed director Danny Boyle, known for his work on Trainspotting, recently shared some cryptic insights regarding the Oscar-winning actor’s role with IGN. This new trilogy aims to delve deeper into the harrowing world that Boyle and Alex Garland created in 28 Days Later, featuring a fresh ensemble of interconnected narratives. Interestingly, Murphy will not take center stage in the initial film; instead, the story will focus on a new protagonist, Spike, a 12-year-old boy played by Alfie Williams. Spike’s family, consisting of Jodie Comer and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, becomes embroiled in the chaos of a post-apocalyptic zombie outbreak.
“Each story is designed to stand independently, yet there is a transitional element that leads into the subsequent film, making it a very ambitious project,” Boyle explained. He also noted that the financial backing for the third installment is still uncertain and will heavily rely on the performance of the first film. “We’re still waiting for the green light for the third one, which I guess will depend on how the first two perform,” he added.
“If we achieve a satisfactory response, hopefully, we’ll secure the necessary funding for the third film. Everyone is eagerly anticipating that, including Cillian,” the director confirmed regarding Murphy’s potential participation.
Currently, plans are in place for Murphy to make a notable appearance at the climax of the Nia DaCosta directed sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. This film will directly follow the events from Boyle’s upcoming reboot sequel and is scheduled to hit theaters next January.
“He is indeed featured in the second film,” Boyle disclosed, “I probably shouldn’t share too much as it might get me into trouble.” However, it can be inferred that his role will serve to hint at the possibilities for the third installment, which remains unconfirmed by Sony.
Boyle elaborated, “There’s always that expectation with sequels; you want to innovate and take bold risks.”
He further expressed gratitude towards [studio Sony Pictures] for their flexibility during the development of 28 Years Later. “They allowed us creative freedom. They could have insisted on a more traditional sequel format, demanding we adhere to familiar concepts from the original. They could have questioned why Cillian isn’t in the first film. We clarified, ‘Yes, Cillian will be involved, but not in the first installment.’ We appreciate their understanding,” he concluded.
28 Years Later is set to premiere on June 20.
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