Does Cillian Murphy’s Unforgettable ’28 Days Later’ Character Return for ’28 Years Later’?

Editor’s note: the following contains spoilers for 28 Years Later.By far the most iconic image from 28 Days Later is Cillian Murphy wandering the empty streets of London in his hospital gown. Despite the lack of dialogue, Murphy conveys the shock and confusion felt by Jim and encapsulates the bleakness of the tone immediately. Throughout the first movie, Murphy creates a realistic survival in Jim; he is mundane and ordinary in the best possible way yet grows to be empathetic towards Selena (Naomie Harris) and Hannah (Megan Burns) Eventually, he has to assume an authoritative position and becomes a stronger fighter, growing from an individual who was reliant on others for survival to being able to battle the infected with ease.

With the iconic franchise making a long-awaited return, there was a sense of intrigue as to whether the franchise would meet back up with Jim and continue his story. However, it became clear that the latest installment, 28 Years Later, would take a different focus, following Spike (Alfie Williams) and his parents (Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Jodie Comer). Yet, one shot in the trailer set fans’ minds racing that Jim had been infected and was appearing in 28 Years Later. This was quickly debunked, and, sadly, Cillian Murphy does not appear in 28 Years Later, nor is his character referenced. However, Murphy’s Jim is shaping up to be a major part of the next film, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.

What Happened to Cillian Murphy at the End of ‘28 Days Later’?

The ending of 28 Days Later was fairly hopeful in contrast to the rest of the movie, as Jim, Selena, and Hannah escaped the soldiers’ mansion safely. The movie cuts to another 28 days later, and the trio are seen setting up a large banner made of fabric. As a helicopter flies above them, an overhead shot reveals the word “HELLO” spelled with sewn fabric, along with the three survivors waving manically. The scene is left fairly ambiguous, as the movie never reveals whether their attempt to communicate is successful. However, it does confirm Jim’s survival, unlike earlier drafts of the script that saw him die, and it does end their story on a positive, hopeful note.

“It’s Still the Same Apocalypse”: ‘28 Years Later’ Director Explains Cillian Murphy’s Absence

“It’s independent from the first film.”

Jim also undergoes a huge amount of character growth during 28 Days Later. At the start of the movie, he is hopeless, signified by his aimless wandering in the opening scene. There is a huge midpoint shift in him following Frank’s (Brendan Gleeson) death. The combination of feeling responsible for Hannah and Selena, along with the soldiers’ plans to use them as sexual slaves, forces Jim to step up. He becomes much more aggressive and assertive, being able to take down the infected without fear. It shows he has garnered the skills needed to survive, and the possibility of his being alive after 28 years feels much more likely.

Cillian Murphy May Not Be in ‘28 Years Later,’ but He’ll Appear in ‘The Bone Temple’

Cillian Murphy does not make an appearance in 28 Years Later. The infected in the trailer that bore some physical similarities to Murphy is barely in the movie, quickly shot down by Spike. However, it has been confirmed that Murphy will make an appearance in the second movie. The end of 28 Days Later saw Jim in the Lake District, which is geographically not far from the Northeast of England, where 28 Years Later is set. It makes sense that Murphy wasn’t in the first movie, as the introduction of his character wouldn’t have narratively fit, and the movie is centered on Spike’s emotional character arc.

The end of 28 Years Later sees Spike meet a mysterious cult leader named Jimmy (Jack O’Connell), who is followed by a group called the “Jimmys.” His followers all have similar names to him, such as Jimmy Ink and Jimmima. It feels impossible not to associate these names with Murphy’s Jim, and, although nothing is confirmed, it is looking like Jimmy and Jim will cross paths in The Bone Temple.

Despite his lack of on-screen appearance, Cillian Murphy served as an executive producer for 28 Years Later. While we know that Murphy will appear in the next movie, Danny Boyle is remaining tight-lipped about the details of his appearance and what contribution he will make. After waiting over 20 years for Cillian Murphy to return to one of his most iconic roles, fans will just have to wait a little bit longer (six months to be exact).

28 Years Later is in theaters now.