Sony Pictures has officially confirmed that Ralph Fiennes and Cillian Murphy will reprise their memorable roles in the upcoming film, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Directed by Nia DaCosta, this sequel continues the gripping saga set in a post-apocalyptic England, picking up after the events of 28 Years Later.
Ralph Fiennes, 62, returns as Dr. Kelson, a character navigating a precarious new relationship with world-altering consequences. Meanwhile, Cillian Murphy, 49, makes a brief but impactful appearance as Jim, reprising his role from the original 28 Days Later.
The studio has released the first trailer, which hints at a chilling narrative: “Dr. Kelson finds himself entangled in a relationship that could change everything, while Spike’s encounter with Jimmy Crystal evolves into an inescapable nightmare.” Notably, the infected no longer represent the greatest danger; instead, the survivors’ inhumanity presents a terrifying new threat.
READ MORE: Somerset Holiday Park Unveils Exciting £10.2 Million Upgrade Featuring Pools, Lazy River, and More
READ MORE: Dragons’ Den Star from Poole Secures $50 Million Valuation After “Best Pitch Ever”
Though Murphy’s screen time in this installment is limited, executive producer and original director Danny Boyle revealed to Variety that Cillian Murphy will play a significant role in the third film. Boyle also confirmed that Jack O’Connell and Ralph Fiennes will have expanded roles, deepening the mainland storyline introduced previously.
Written and produced by Alex Garland, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is a collaborative production involving Columbia Pictures, DNA Films, and Decibel Films, with Sony Pictures handling distribution. Executive producers include Danny Boyle, Andrew Macdonald, Peter Rice, and Bernie Bellew.
The film is scheduled for release in cinemas on 16 January 2026.
The 28 Days Later franchise, launched by Danny Boyle in 2002, redefined the zombie horror genre with its social commentary and intense storytelling, earning over $82 million worldwide. Its 2007 sequel, 28 Weeks Later, continued to expand the narrative and scale, cementing the series' status as a beloved cult classic.