In the original film, Murphy played Jim, a bicycle courier who wakes up from a coma to find that the UK has been hit by the "Rage" virus, which turns people into zombies.
The infected, however, are not like the traditional slow, shuffling hordes of the undead. Instead, they sprint and scream while chasing survivors.
The film performed fairly well at the time, earning $84 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo.
Boyle's unique vision of a post-apocalyptic Britain led to a resurgence of zombie movies in the 2000s. Many took inspiration from Boyle's fast zombies , such as in the "Dawn of the Dead" remake, and "Zombieland."
While Boyle produced the 2007 sequel, "28 Weeks Later," the Juan Carlos Fresnadillo-directed film focused more on gory action, than the suspense-driven horror of the original.
In January 2024, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that "28 Years Later" is in the works by Boyle and "28 Days Later" writer Alex Garland. Here's what we know about the sequel.
Cillian Murphy will be joined by British stars, including Jodie Comer and Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Jodie Comer at "The Bikeriders" Los Angeles premiere, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson at a "The Fall Guy" screening in London.
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic/Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
Murphy has stated over the years that he would like to return to the franchise that kickstarted his career.
In February, he told Variety : "I've always said I would love to be involved because that movie changed everything for me and I have great affection for it and for those guys Alex, and Danny."
Murphy added: "So I'm really thrilled that we'll get the band back together to make this one."
In May, Sony Motion Pictures Group chairman Tom Rothman confirmed to Deadline that the "Oppenheimer" star will reprise his role as Jim in "28 Years Later."
When asked whether Murphy is definitely returning, Rothman said: "Yes, but in a surprising way and in a way that grows, let me put it that way."
The Irish actor will be joined by British stars Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson , Jack O'Connell, Ralph Fiennes, and Erin Kellyman, per Deadline . Details about their characters are being kept secret.
In June 2024, Comer appeared on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast and briefly discussed what Boyle is trying to achieve with his director of photography, Anthony Dod Mantle.
She said: "It's him. It's Danny, and I think he's constantly trying to find new ways and I think, just seeing where they've gone with it and all the new additions and explorations, I think people are going to be very excited."
'28 Years Later' arrives in June 2025 and is the start of a new trilogy
Nia DaCosta at the 2023 GQ Men Of The Year Awards in London.
Karwai Tang/WireImage
The long-awaited sequel will arrive in theaters on June 20, 2025, and is the start of a new trilogy. According to Deadline, "Candyman" director Nia DaCosta is in talks to take over the reins for the second movie, while Garland will write the entire trilogy.
Little is known about what to expect from the future of the franchise, although presumably, it'll be packed with hordes of screaming zombies again.
Interestingly, a title for DaCosta's movie might have been revealed thanks to the United States Copyright Office , which lists it as "28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple."
This doesn't necessarily reveal anything about what the future movie could revolve around, but it certainly feels different.
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