‘28 Years Later’ Trailer: Cillian Murphy Returns to Danny Boyle’s Zombie Franchise for Alex Garland-Written Trilogy Installment

Cillian Murphy is breathing new life into his old, undead franchise with “28 Years Later.”

Murphy, who starred in the 2002 original film “28 Days Later” but opted out of its 2007 sequel, “28 Weeks Later,” is now back for the highly-anticipated third feature, “28 Years Later.” Murphy reprises his role of Jim, a bike courier who wakes up from a coma only to realize that while he was unconscious, all of London was destroyed in a “Rage Virus” that turned people into zombies.

The “Peaky Blinders” star also executive produces the trilogy installment, with director Danny Boyle returning behind the lens. The sequel film was helmed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, with Jeremy Renner and Imogen Poots starring.

The star-studded cast also includes Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, Erin Kellyman, and Edvin Ryding. Alex Garland penned the third film (and the first), which originally was rumored to be helmed by Nia DaCosta.

Garland’s script has been circulating since 2019, with Boyle saying in 2022 that he was “very tempted” to direct. Murphy echoed to NME that he has been a proponent of making the third feature for years.

“Every time I do bump into Danny or Alex I always mention it,” Murphy said. “Because I showed it to my kids recently, some Halloween about four or five years ago, and they loved it. It really stands up, which is amazing for a film that’s 20 years old. So yeah, I love the idea and it’s very appealing to me.”

Murphy’s co-star, and franchise newcomer, Fiennes told IndieWire that while the plot for “28 Years Later” has been kept under wraps, he will be playing a doctor.

“It’s three films, of which two have been shot,” Fiennes said of the plot. “Britain is 28 years into this terrible plague of infected people who are violent, rabid humans with a few pockets of uninfected communities. And it centers on a young boy who wants to find a doctor to help his dying mother. He leads his mother through this beautiful northern English terrain. But of course, around them hiding in forests and hills and woods are the infected. But he finds a doctor who is a man we might think is going to be weird and odd, but actually is a force for good.”

“28 Years Later” premieres June 20 in theaters. Check out the trailer below.