Alert – Cillian Murphy will NOT reprise his role in 28 Days Later after fans were left convinced the actor returned as a Zombie in the film’s trailer

Cillian Murphy will not reprise his role as Jim in the post-apocalyptic film 28 Days Later.

The movie’s producer Andrew Macdonald confirmed the disappointing news following wide speculation Cillian would be returning as a Zombie.

After the trailer dropped last year, fans went wild as they thought the star seemingly made a jaw-dropping comeback in zombie form.

The Hollywood actor, 48, starred in Danny Boyle’s original 2002 horror flick as survivor Jim.

Despite Cillian wanting to be involved in the upcoming film, Andrew told Empire magazine he is only an executive producer currently.

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

Cillian Murphy, 48, will not reprise his role as Jim in the post-apocalyptic film 28 Days Later

The movie’s producer Andrew Macdonald confirmed the disappointing news following wide speculation Cillian would be returning as a Zombie 

‘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.’

After the trailer dropped, fans were quick to share their shock on X at the zombified form of what is seemingly Cillian’s character Jim, with the scene indicating the grim fate of the courier following the 28 Weeks Later film.  

They penned: ‘Bro, what this mf did to Cillian Murphy’

‘Us seeing Cillian Murphy’; ‘Is….is that Cillian Murphy?’

‘Cillian Murphy has that perfect eerie vibe to pull off an infected’

‘That better not be Cillian Murphy rising out of that field. I didn’t think we’d actually ever get this movie’; ‘that’s not cillian murphy’

‘Oh god finally! Was not expecting Cillian Murphy to come back like that! I’m shook!!!’

Back in January, Cillian addressed speculation that he’d once again feature in the hit zombie franchise.

After the trailer dropped last year, fans went wild as they thought the star seemingly made a jaw-dropping comeback in zombie form 

The nail-biting trailer for the upcoming post-apocalyptic horror film dropped last year, giving fans a glimpse of what’s to come in the horror sequel

After the trailer dropped, fans were quick to share their shock on X at the zombified form of what is seemingly Cillian’s character Jim, with the scene indicating the grim fate of the courier following the 28 Weeks Later film 

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

The original film 28 Days Later starred Cillian as a bicycle courier who wakes up from a coma to discover the accidental release of a highly contagious, aggression-inducing virus has caused the breakdown of society. 

Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccleston, Megan Burns, and Brendan Gleeson appeared in supporting roles. 

The film 28 Years Later is the sequel to 2002’s 28 Days Later and 2007’s 28 Weeks Later. 

A sequel has already been ordered – 28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple – and will be directed by The Marvels’ Nia DaCosta. 

Last year, fans were stunned to discover that the 2025 blockbuster was filmed on an iPhone – the biggest movie to ever do so.

While most films use cameras from German manufacturers ARRI Group, director Danny Boyle decided the first ’28’ film in 18 years needed something different. 

28 Years Later concluded filming this summer – and principal photography took place with a bunch of adapted iPhone 15s, WIRED reported.

Back in January, Cillian addressed speculation that he’d once again feature in the hit zombie franchise 

‘I would be there in a flash. I made two movies with both of those guys (Boyle and Garland), and I would love to work with them again. Of course, I’m there’

28 Years Later is set to hit cinemas in June 2025 and also stars Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson [pictured] , Ralph Fiennes , Erin Kellyman and Jack O’Connell 

With a budget of $75million, 28 Years Later is the biggest film to be created with an iPhone and follows in the footsteps of a new Apple TV show.

28 Days Later was a genre-defining film as it was the first to portray zombies as lightning fast rather than slow and sluggish.

The films take place 28 days, weeks, and years after the outbreak of a deadly virus in London, which infects everyone and turns them into bloodthirsty killers.

Anthony Dod Mantle will serve as 28 Years Later’s cinematographer – he and Danny won Oscars together in 2009 for their work on Slumdog Millionaire. 

Anthony was also cinematographer on 28 Days Later, as well as Danny’s other films 127 Hours (2010), Trance (2013), and T2 Trainspotting (2017).

Principal filming for 28 Years Later wrapped at the end of August, and until now the production has kept under wraps the fact that the movie was shot with smartphones, with the film’s staff being asked to signed NDAs preventing the disclosure of this detail.