The long wait is nearly over. Fans of the iconic films 28 Days Later (2002) and 28 Weeks Later (2007) can finally look forward to the third installment, 28 Years Later, set to premiere next summer. The recently dropped trailer has sparked intense fan speculation, particularly about a potential glimpse of Cillian Murphy’s character, Jim, from the original film.
Jim, who miraculously survived the initial “rage virus” outbreak, may have made an unexpected appearance in the trailer. A fleeting shot shows a zombie-like figure behind Jodie Comer’s character in a field, and fans are debating whether this could reveal Jim’s fate after decades of survival. Murphy’s name is missing from the cast and promotional materials, but his credit as an executive producer on the Sony Pictures website has only added to the intrigue.
The upcoming film, helmed by returning director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland, stars Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes. Set almost 30 years after the first outbreak, the story focuses on a group of survivors isolated on an island in quarantine. Their fragile peace is shattered when one member ventures to the mainland, uncovering horrifying mutations that have affected both the infected and the survivors.
The tagline, “Time didn’t heal anything,” sets a chilling tone for the film. The trailer begins with an eerie juxtaposition—a nostalgic clip from the 1997 children’s show Teletubbies playing ominously in the background. Tense action scenes quickly take over, accompanied by a haunting rendition of Rudyard Kipling’s war poem, Boots.
Striking visuals include shattered church windows, crosses scattered across the ground, and rosary beads hanging from wooden markers. A particularly enigmatic shot shows graffiti reading, “Behold he is coming with the clouds,” a line from the Bible’s Book of Revelation, with the word “Jimmy” scrawled beside it—perhaps a clue about Jim’s connection to the new storyline.
The trailer also features Aaron Taylor-Johnson navigating fields with a bow and arrow, Jodie Comer cradling a baby amidst chaos, and a pile of skulls that adds to the tension. A brief glimpse of the zombie-like figure resembling Jim has fans buzzing.
Social media has been abuzz with theories and reactions. One viewer joked, “Murphy’s method acting might even rival Christian Bale’s,” while others debated whether the quick shot spoiled a major plot point. The original 28 Days Later, directed by Danny Boyle, was hailed as a transformative entry in the horror genre, even though Boyle described it as “not a zombie movie.” Its sequel, 28 Weeks Later, directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, introduced new characters and expanded the story.
With Boyle and Garland reuniting for 28 Years Later, the franchise is set to continue its legacy with a gripping and intense third chapter. Scheduled for release on June 20, the film promises to deliver answers to lingering questions while introducing terrifying new developments.
