Zombie fans went wild when the trailer for 28 Years Later, the long-awaited sequel to 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later, was released this week. And that excitement was compounded by eagle-eyed viewers who seemingly spotted the film's original star Cillian Murphy as one of the infected. But unfortunately, it turned out to be nothing more than a coincidence.
The likeness was so uncanny that many outlets just ran with the casting rumor and reported it as fact. For instance, the social media account for Pop Base gushed: "Cillian Murphy stuns in first look at 28 Years Later."
Cillian Murphy stuns in first look at ‘28 Years Later.’ pic.twitter.com/flGF8Xpx7M
— Pop Base (@PopBase) December 10, 2024
The sighting likewise quickly became a meme, such as the below example that compared Murphy in the original film to the start of 2020, with the allegedly zombified version as the "end of 2024."
However, on Wednesday the Guardian spoke with the actor cast as the "Emaciated Infected," who has been identified as art dealer and model Angus Neill. Neill says he was talent-spotted by director Danny Boyle, who was apparently "struck by his distinctive looks." On his professional website, Neill boasts a 28-inch waist, making him a perfect candidate to play a skeletal zombie.
“Danny told me he’d always had me in mind for the role. So we met up, hit it off, and I agreed to take part," Neill told the publication. "On set he has an extraordinary ability to hypnotize you, and working with him on the film was a very, very intense experience."
Of course, it's still possible that Murphy could make a top-secret cameo in the film. Back in January when news broke about the third film, the Irish actor told the Independent that he would star in a sequel in a "heartbeat" if asked.
"That’s great to hear," Murphy said when informed about the forthcoming sequel. "I didn’t know that—I would be there in a flash. I made two movies with both of those guys," he said, referring to Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland. "I would love to work with them again. Of course, I’m there.”
Murphy starred in 2002's 28 Days Later as a bicycle courier who awakens from a coma to discover that society has been ravished by a highly-contagious, aggression-inducing "rage virus" that was accidentally released by a group of animal rights activists infiltrating a science lab. However, the 48-year-old was unable to star in the 2007 sequel due to scheduling conflicts.
You can watch the trailer for 28 Years Later below, featuring Murphy's doppelgänger. The film stars Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes.
