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The first trailer for 28 Years Later had the internet abuzz - not just because many thought it the most intense horror trailer that had come out in years, but because it seemed to show a zombified version of Cillian Murphy's Jim, the lead character in Danny Boyle's original 28 Days Later. Now, that turned out not to be true, but according to Murphy, Jim will return in the 28 Years follow-up, The Bone Temple.

Just don't expect his role to be very big.

Murphy recently sat down to chat with The Observer, in an interview published September 6. After discussing his role in Peaky Blinders and his Oscar-winning Oppenheimer performance, the topic of the outrageously popular zombie franchise came up, as did the Batman Begins actor's involvement. Particularly, Murphy tells the outlet that Jim will appear in Nia Dacosta's 28 Years Later: the Bone Temple, if only "for a little bit." However, Murphy also clarifies that there may be more on the way for his character...

...If the planned third film in the 28 Years Later trilogy is greenlit.

You'll recall Popverse's reporting that, despite the box office success of this year's 28 Years later, producer Sony still has yet to give their stamp of approval on a third film in the saga, one that would follow next year's Bone Temple and wrap up a story conceived by progenitors Danny Boyle and Alex Garland. In that still-hypothetical film Murphy promises that Jim would play a significant role, and by all appearances, it's a role Murphy really wants to play. 

"Everyone’s got to go and see the second one," he pleads, letting fans know exactly how they can assist in bringing Jim back for one final hurrah. Although, maybe "pleads" isn't exactly the right word. That sounds kinda desperate, and Murphy is anything but.

"I’m sure they will [go see Bone Temple]" the actor says, "It’s really, really good."

Mark your calendars, Murphettes - 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (and your chance to see Jim again) rages into theaters January 16, 2026.

In the immortal words of Danny Elfman, "Life's no fun without a good scare." Join Popverse's weekly explorations of the best opening moments of horror cinema in The Coldest Open, and then check out:

• The best horror movies of all time, according to horror aficionado Greg Silber
• The most underrated horror movies from the past couple years
• All the new and upcoming horror movies for 2025 and beyond

And much gore. Er, more. Much more.