When the trailer for Danny Boyle’s belated zombie sequel 28 Years Later launched on Tuesday, the less-than-rosy-cheeked look of the primary movie’s star, Cillian Murphy, didn’t escape remark.
A scene by which a strikingly skinny member of the undead instantly rears up, bare, behind new star Jodie Comer was taken as affirmation of rumours that Murphy had returned for an look within the new movie.
Reaction on X was broadly constructive about Murphy’s obvious cameo, with one person suggesting the actor had “that good eerie vibe to drag off an contaminated” whereas one other wrote: “Oh god lastly! Was not anticipating Cillian Murphy to return again like that! I’m shook!!!”
Murphy, 48, misplaced a substantial quantity of weight for his position as J Robert Oppenheimer, however his cheekbones had been a calling card lengthy earlier than that Oscar-winning efficiency.
Yet the Guardian can reveal that the actor enjoying “Emaciated Infected” within the movie, due for launch in June 2025, isn’t Murphy however fairly newcomer Angus Neill.
Neill, an artwork seller specialising in previous masters, was talent-spotted by Boyle, who was a lot struck by his distinctive appears. Neill additionally works as a mannequin, along with his skilled profile suggesting he has a 28-inch waist.
“Danny informed me he’d all the time had me in thoughts for the position,” stated Neill. “So we met up, hit it off, and I agreed to participate.
“On set he has a unprecedented capability to hypnotise you, and dealing with him on the movie was a really, very intense expertise.”
The Guardian has approached Sony Pictures, who’re distributing the movie, for remark.
Murphy performed a bicycle courier within the unique 2002 movie, 28 Days Later, who wakes from a coma to seek out {that a} extremely contagious virus has led to the breakdown of society and a land roamed by zombies and determined survivors.
His character survived that movie however didn’t seem within the 2007 sequel, 28 Weeks Later. However, the actor has repeatedly expressed eagerness to be concerned in a 3rd movie. Speaking to the Independent in January, Murphy stated:
“I’d be there in a flash. I made two films with each of these guys [Boyle and writer Alex Garland], and I’d like to work with them once more. Of course, I’m there.”
Alongside Comer and Neill, the brand new movie options Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes and Jack O’Connell. Murphy may additionally but be featured.
