Emaciated zombie about 28 years later is not Cillian Murphy, sources confirm | Film

When the trailer for Danny Boyle’s belated zombie sequel 28 Years Later was released on Tuesday, the not-so-rosy-cheeked appearance of the first film’s star, Cillian Murphy, did not escape comment.

A scene in which a strikingly thin member of the undead suddenly stands up, naked, behind new star Jodie Comer, was taken as confirmation of rumors that Murphy had returned for an appearance in the new film.

Reaction to X was largely positive to Murphy’s apparent cameo, with one user suggesting the actor had “the perfect creepy vibe to pull off an infected”, while another wrote: “Oh god finally! Wasn’t expecting Cillian Murphy would come back that way! I’m shocked!!!”

Murphy, 48, lost some weight for his role as J Robert Oppenheimer, but his cheekbones were a calling card long before the Oscar-winning performance.

However, The Guardian can reveal that the actor playing the “Emaciated Infected” in the film, due for release in June 2025, is not Murphy, but rather newcomer Angus Neill.

Neill, an art dealer specializing in old masters, was discovered by Boyle, who was very struck by his distinctive appearance. Neill also works as a model, with his professional profile suggesting he has a 28-inch waist.

“Danny told me he’d always had me in mind for the role,” Neill said. “So we met, hit it off, and I agreed to participate.

“On set, he has an extraordinary ability to hypnotize you, and working with him on the film was a very, very intense experience.”

The Guardian has approached Sony Pictures, which is distributing the film, for comment.

Murphy played a bicycle courier in the original 2002 film, 28 Days Later, who wakes up from a coma to discover that a highly contagious virus has led to the collapse of society and a country ravaged by zombies and desperate survivors.

His character survived that film but did not appear in the 2007 sequel, 28 Weeks Later. However, the actor has repeatedly expressed his eagerness to be involved in a third film. Speaking to the Independent in January, Murphy said:

“I’d be there in a heartbeat. I did two movies with both of these guys (Boyle and writer Alex Garland) and I’d love to work with them again. Of course I’m there.”

Along with Comer and Neill, the new film features Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes and Jack O’Connell. Murphy may also be in yet.