One of the landmark films in the post-apocalyptic/ zombie horror flicks in the 2000s was the Cillian Murphy starrer 28 Days Later which was directed by Danny Boyle. The film was also the turning point of Cillian Murphy’s career whose performance impressed Hollywood and he started being noticed by prolific filmmakers in the industry.
In addition to Murphy, the film also starred Naomie Harris and Brendan Gleeson. The success of the film led to a sequel in 2007 titled 28 Weeks Later starring Jeremy Renner. A third film was announced recently with the original team returning including Boyle, Alex Garland, and Murphy. With the rumored addition of Jodie Comer in the film, fans are confused about the omission of Harris.
Fans Want Naomie Harris To Return in 28 Years Later Alongside Cillian Murphy
Fans were ecstatic when it was announced that Danny Boyle and Alex Garland were coming together for 28 Years Later. Cillian Murphy is also returning as an executive producer on the film, but it’s unclear whether he’ll reprise his role of Jim from 2002’s 28 Days Later. Popular scooper Daniel Richtman recently reported that Jodie Comer has been added to the cast of 28 Years Later (via Reel Updates).
This is the only casting-related report that has been out from the film. As it is from a scooper and not confirmed by the studio, one must take it with a grain of salt. Instead of being ecstatic with this rumored casting, fans are worried there’s no news about the return of Naomie Harris who played Selena in the first film. Here are some of the reactions on X,
I'm sorry but where is Naomi Harris? pic.twitter.com/A8TIsKNCHg
— Fremen of Dune (@Chani_of_Dune) April 4, 2024
I wanted Jodie and Cillian together in a Nolan film or any of those two new films he’s working on, not this because I need Naomie Harris as Selena back. pic.twitter.com/zvbLhVWTRj
— PeakyLOTR (@BrockMorrison19) April 5, 2024
Nice to know Jim survived. I always assumed the director's cut ending in which he died was canon.
— Alex J. Senkowski (@SenkowskiJ) April 5, 2024
Anyway where’s the Naomi Harris announcement? pic.twitter.com/RESyzsmnli
— Kevin 🦂🇵🇸 (@kevmarinyo) April 5, 2024
So if we’re getting 28 Years Later, we’re getting Naomie Harris back as the amazing infected-slayer/Terry’s Chocolate Orange connoisseur/pharmacist Selena right? RIGHT? pic.twitter.com/5kvALfqKe8
— Chloé (@FrenziedChloe) January 11, 2024
Harris was essentially the co-lead of 28 Days Later and the absence of any news regarding her return is concerning. She was the grounding moral support for Murphy’s character, also providing the film with the personal and emotional stakes the characters are up against. There has been no official news regarding the film’s casting, and whether the makers announce Harris’ return in 28 Years Later remains to be seen.
Cillian Murphy Would Love to Return As The Lead in 28 Years Later
28 Days Later is one of Cillian Murphy’s most seminal works that led him to grab more roles in Hollywood, including being cast by Christopher Nolan in Batman Begins. It is considered one of the best films in the zombie apocalypse genre and director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland are reuniting for a third film in the series titled 28 Years Later.
When asked by Variety about whether he will reprise his role from 28 Days Later in the new film, he stated that he would love to do so. He further claimed the first film changed everything for him and gave credit to Boyle and Garland for giving him the chance to star in the film. He told Variety,
“I can’t give much more at this point. But I’ve always said I would love to be involved because that movie changed everything for me – I have great affection for it and for those guys, [Alex and Danny]. I never watch my own films, except that one.”
Murphy will executive produce 28 Years Later but it is not known yet whether he will star in the film. As of now, Murphy is coming out with his new film Small Things Like These after his Oscar win for Oppenheimer. The film had its world premiere at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival on 15 February 2024.
