Cillian Murphy’s 28 Years Later ‘return’ explained as Rotten Tomatoes score revealed for sequel

With the return of 28 Years Later, many fans will be wondering whether this means we will be getting Cillian Murphy coming back for this film.

28 Years Later has been hotly anticipated as it releases today (June 20) worldwide.

With embargoes for critics dropping earlier this week, the verdict is in on how good the sequel is, with its Rotten Tomatoes score being finalised.

Speculation of Murphy returning first started when reports came out stating the actor had been spotted on set, rumours many thought had been confirmed when the first trailer was released for 28 Years Later.

A zombie shown in the trailer was mistaken for Murphy by just about everyone, with the world’s press and fans rushing to speculate on how the actor’s character from 28 Days Later became Jim.

Whilst it was later clarified by Danny Boyle that this was not Murphy and just a random zombie who happened to look like him, he has however spoken about how Jim is set to return to the series.

What is Cillian Murphy’s role in the new set of 28 Years Later films?

Cillian Murphy starred in 28 Days Later prior to his Peaky Blinders fame (Searchlight)

Murphy does not return to the role of Jim in 28 Years Later, but has already been confirmed to appear in 28 Years Later II: The Bone Temple, the already filmed sequel to the threequel.

It’s confusing, don’t worry.

Whilst 28 Years Later operates in the same world as 28 Days and 28 Weeks, it is the start of it’s own trilogy.

The second of the trilogy, directed by Candyman creative Nia DaCosta, will reportedly feature Jim, with Danny Boyle saying: “He is in the second one. I shouldn't give away too much. I'll get killed.”

Boyle has not specified his exact role yet, however he has said that if the third film in the trilogy is made Murphy will play a key role.

Though the films were mapped out as a trilogy, funding has not yet been confirmed for a third film.

How have fans and critics reacted to 28 Years Later?

The response to 28 Years Later has been overwhelmingly positive, leading to a whopping Rotten Tomatoes score.

At the time of writing the film sits at 92% on Rotten Tomatoes after 139 reviews.

Robert Daniels of RogerEbert.com said: “A deeply earnest film, a picture whose sincerity is initially off putting until it’s endearing.”

Esther Zuckerman of Bloomberg said of the film: “One of the strangest, most exhilarating blockbusters in recent memory. It’s a truly bizarre piece of art that’s somehow both grotesque and extremely moving.”

DiscussingFilm’s Bill Bria gave the film a perfect five stars, calling it one of the greatest legacy sequels ever made.

28 Years Later is available to watch in theatres now.