Cillian Murphy is no stranger to haunting imagery on screen, but the actor recently found himself the subject of an unexpected viral moment. Fans convinced themselves that a gaunt, shirtless zombie in the trailer for 28 Years Later was none other than Murphy himself, reprising his role as Jim from Danny Boyle’s 2002 cult classic 28 Days Later.
The speculation, however, took a comical turn when Murphy’s own sons showed him the meme making the rounds online. His reaction? A characteristically dry 12-word quip:
“That’s great people think I look like a zombie cadaver. It’s very flattering.”
The response, published in an interview with The Observer on September 6, quickly lit up the internet, with fans applauding Murphy’s understated wit.
A Viral Case of Mistaken Identity
The confusion stemmed from a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment in the 28 Years Later trailer, released earlier this year. The shot shows a skeletal zombie rising to its feet, prompting fans to theorize that the image was Murphy’s Jim in undead form.
Murphy, 49, who typically avoids online chatter, was amused but quick to set the record straight. The zombie, as it turns out, was portrayed by model Angus Neill, not the Oscar-winning star of Oppenheimer.
Jim’s Return on the Horizon
While Murphy wasn’t the cadaverous figure in the teaser, fans won’t be left wanting. The actor confirmed he does appear briefly in 28 Years Later, the first in a planned trilogy from Boyle.
“I’m only in it for a little bit,” Murphy told The Observer. “But that appearance sets up a much larger role for the third installment.”
The second film in the series, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, is already slated for release in January 2026, though the third has yet to be officially greenlit.
From Cult Classic to Cultural Touchstone
When 28 Days Later debuted in 2002, few could have predicted its long-lasting impact. The image of Murphy’s Jim wandering through a deserted London became emblematic of the post-apocalyptic genre — and resonated anew during the COVID-19 pandemic, when real-world empty streets echoed the film’s eerie visuals.
“People still love that movie,” Murphy reflected. “It’s the same with Peaky Blinders — we didn’t realize it would become as beloved as it was.”
A Legacy of the Living Dead
If Murphy’s wry humor is any indication, his return to the franchise promises more than nostalgia. For fans, his upcoming role offers the possibility of revisiting one of horror’s most iconic survivors, proving that two decades later, Jim — and Murphy — are far from finished.