28 Years Later star opens up on working with Cillian Murphy

Extra.ie​

19-06-2025

28 Years Later star Aaron Taylor Johnson has shared his experience working with Irish icon Cillian Murphy.
The new flick, which is a story set in the world created by 28 Days Later, hits cinemas this week, with Academy Award winner Danny Boyle bringing original cast member Cillian back as an executive producer.
Now, Aaron, who plays Jamie in the highly anticipated film, has opened up about working with the Cork native. Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Jamie and Alfie Williams as Spike in 28 Years Later. Pic: 2024 CTMG, Inc.
Speaking to the Strawberry Alarm clock on FM104, Aaron said: 'He's the sweetest. He is a wonderful man…we are so grateful to be part of this franchise.
'As an audience who enjoys these movies, I think we are all excited to see Cillian Murphy make an appearance at some point.'
Set almost three decades after the rage virus escaped a biological weapons laboratory, the new installment in the franchise follows a group of survivors who inhabit a small island connected to the mainland by a single causeway. The new flick, which is a story set in the world created by 28 Days Later, hits cinemas this week, with Academy Award winner Danny Boyle bringing original cast member Cillian back as an executive producer. Pic: Rob Latour/REX/Shutterstock
A synopsis for the film reads: 'When one of the group leaves the island on a mission into the mainland, he discovers secrets, wonders, and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors.'
The film also stars Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes and Alfie Williams.
Director Danny Boyle has also set the record straight and confirmed that Cillian will be in the 28 Years trilogy… in the second and third films. Now, Aaron, who plays Jamie in the highly anticipated film, has opened up about working with the Cork native. Pic: Peter Mountain/Dna/20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock
'Well, it's three films, a trilogy of films which have connecting characters,' Danny told IGN, explaining that 12-year-old Spike will be the main character of the new story. 'He will run right way through the films. We've shot the first two back-to-back, and that was for logistical reasons, actor availability reasons, and for story reasons as well. They're literally continuous.'
28 Years Later will be three films, with 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple slated for a release next January, with Danny confirming that Cillian will be in the second film, and will be standing by for the third should they get funding.
'There's a coda… it's not a coda, it's the epilogue or an end theme at the end of the first film [28 Years Later] that gives you a handover to the second film,' Danny explained. 'Although each story completes itself, there's a handover section to the next film as well. So it's very ambitious.
'We haven't got the money for the third one yet. It will depend on how the first one does, I guess. But hopefully, if we do ok, they'll give us the go-ahead for the money and for the third one. Everybody's standing by for that, really. Including Cillian.
'[Cillian] is in the second one… I shouldn't give away too much, I'll get killed!'