23 Years Later- Cillian Murphy Set to Return to 28 Days Later Franchise

Is anyone else fan-girling, or is it just me?

Fans of Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later franchise got an exciting update recently on the development of the third installment, 28 Years Later. Speaking at an event for Sony Pictures, chairman Tom Rothman confirmed that Cillian Murphy, who starred as the protagonist Jim in the original 2002 film, will be returning for 28 Years Later, no less than 23 years later.

While details on Murphy's exact role are still under wraps, Rothman teased that it will be in a "surprising way." Speculation from this cryptic comment suggests that Murphy may not have a central role in the plot but could make an unexpected cameo or appearance. Rothman's comments hint that it will touch on Jim's story in a surprising and meaningful way.

Some fans have speculated that Murphy may play an older version of Jim, providing some continuity from the first film while also advancing the character's arc in a fresh direction. It's absolutely insane that Boyle and Garland are returning after so many years to continue steering the vision for this franchise. Their collaborative work on 28 Days Later was groundbreaking for blending thriller elements with deeper commentary. 28 Years Later can likely up the ante on horror aesthetics while maintaining what made the first film such a classic Regardless, Rothman says Murphy's return is significant and will help advance the overarching story being told across the trilogy.

28 Years Later will see the return of director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland, who was the creative duo behind the groundbreaking first film. Cillian Murphy will also serve as an executive producer on the project

Joining the cast are big stars like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes, setting up an A-list ensemble for the much-anticipated sequel. If Boyle and Garland can successfully launch the new trilogy with 28 Years Later, it sets the stage for two additional movies to further expand this post-apocalyptic world . The eventual trilogy could rival other popular franchises like The Matrix or Lord of the Rings in depth and scope, but it remains to be seen if the planned follow-up films will come to fruition

With Boyle and Garland reuniting creative forces over two decades later, 28 Years Later promises to deliver the same nail-biting terror and explore even deeper themes of time and human survival that made the first film a modern classic.

28 Years later is set to release on June 20, 2025.

-Creepy Linguine

Special thanks to my sources over at Fangoria and MSN News