Cillian Murphy has addressed whether he would star in Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later sequel.
The Oppenheimer actor, 47, has spoken out about if he will be involved in the horror sequel after originally starring as the lead in the film.
28 Years Later has now been confirmed to go ahead and could be the start of a trilogy.
28 Days Later was a 2002 post-apocalyptic horror film directed by Danny and written by Alex Garland.
Cillian told The Independent of his plans for involvement: ‘I would be there in a flash. I made two movies with both of those guys (Boyle and Garland), and I would love to work with them again. Of course, I’m there.’
Cillian Murphy has addressed whether he would star in director Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later sequel
The Oppenheimer actor, 47, has spoken out about if he will be involved in the horror sequel after originally starring as the lead in the film (seen in original)
It starred Cillian as a bicycle courier who wakes up from a coma to discover the accidental release of a highly contagious, aggression-inducing virus has caused the breakdown of society.
Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccleston, Megan Burns, and Brendan Gleeson appeared in supporting roles.
Director Boyle first told Inverse about the project in July 2023 saying he was currently ‘talking about it quite seriously, quite diligently’ with Garland.
He adding that if Garland didn’t want to direct the film, he himself would ‘be well up for it’.
Fans of the post-apocalyptic horror film should expect ‘a new zombie thriller that is expected to hit studios, streamers and other potential buyers later this week,’ according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The outlet claims that William Morris Agency (WMA), which reps Boyle and Garland, ‘will take out the package and handle the sale.’
Back in 2007, the duo served as executive producers on a follow-up to 28 Days Later, called 28 Weeks Later.
While Boyle is already ‘attached to direct the first instalment,’ Garland ‘would write all three’ films, which would ‘be in the $75 million range.’
28 Days Later is a 2002 post-apocalyptic horror film directed by Danny (seen) and written by Alex Garland
It starred Cillian as a bicycle courier who wakes up from a coma to discover the accidental release of a highly contagious, aggression-inducing virus has caused the breakdown of society
Both would produce, alongside original producer Andrew Macdonald and Peter Rice.
Back in November 2022, Boyle teased that he had finished writing a script for 28 Months Later.
Speaking to NME for the film’s 20th anniversary, Danny told how screenwriter Alex Garland has finished a script for the third film, with the director hopeful it will come to fruition.
He said: ‘I’d be very tempted [to direct it]. It feels like a very good time actually.
‘It’s funny, I hadn’t thought about it until you just said it, and I remembered, ‘Bang, this script!’ which is again set in England, very much about England. Anyway, we’ll see… who knows?’
The original film, released in 2002, was followed by 28 Weeks Later in 2007 which followed a US-led NATO military force attempting to create a safe zone in London.
Boyle told how it’s become harder to get a theatrical release for films due to the popularity of streaming, which has put him off making another movie.
He said: ‘It might come back into focus because one of the things that’s happening in the business at the moment is it has to be a big reason for you to go to the cinema, because there are less and less reasons.
‘It’s hard for companies distributing films and for cinema chains to show films, they’re struggling to get people into the cinema unless it’s something like Top Gun: Maverick or a Marvel.’
Naomie Harris (left), Christopher Eccleston, Megan Burns, and Brendan Gleeson appeared in supporting roles
Boyle previously hinted at the future of the franchise back in 2019 when he revealed the script for the third film had impressed him.
He told The Independent: ‘It’s properly good. The original film led to a bit of a resurgence in the zombie drama and it doesn’t reference any of that. It doesn’t feel stale at all.’
The original film – which also starred Naomie Harris and Brendan Gleeson – grossed $85.7million on a budget of $8million.
The sequel – starring Robert Carlyle, Idris Elba and Rose Byrne – made $65.8million on a $15milllion budget.
