Cillian Murphy Will Star in Third ‘28 Years Later’ Movie (If It Gets Made)

Speculation has been swirling for months over whether Cillian Murphy would reprise his role as Jim—the central survivor of “28 Days Later”—in his “28 Years Later” trilogy.

We know that Murphy won’t be returning for the first instalment, due for release this month, and that he has a cameo in the second film, but now director Danny Boyle has shed more light on the larger vision of the trilogy in a new interview with IGN.

Murphy is expected to appear in the trilogy’s concluding chapter, if it gets the greenlight.

Yes, the third and final chapter is still a big “if.” Funding hasn’t been secured yet, and its future hinges on how audiences respond to the first two entries. “Hopefully if we do ok, they’ll give us the go-ahead for the money and for the third one. Everybody’s standing by for that, really. Including Cillian.”

The narrative arc of the trilogy centers around a character named Spike, a 12-year-old boy played by Alfie Williams. The second film in the trilogy is titled “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,” directed by Nia DaCosta (“Candyman,” “The Marvels”). Alex Garland, who wrote the original “28 Days Later,” has penned both new entries.

Asked whether he plans to return for the third installment as director, Boyle didn’t hesitate. “100%,” he said. “I would love to, yes. God willing, etc., your health maintaining and all that kind of stuff,” he laughed. “But also it depends how the first film does. You might not want me to. You never know. You’ve got to realize that there are plenty of alternatives.”

“28 Years Later” stars Alfie Williams, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, and Erin Kellyman, and arrives in theaters June 20.