28 Years Later cast confirmed with huge Harry Potter star in leading role-Tori Brazier-Entertainment – Metro

28 Days Later sequel 28 Years Later has announced its principal cast, over 20 years after the original (Picture: Dna/20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock)

After years of maybes, director Danny Boyle’s new 28 Years Later film just got an exciting update in the form of three major actors signing on to lead the first sequel film.

The original 2003 movie, 28 Days Later, starred Cillian Murphy, and earlier this year it was confirmed that Boyle and original writer Alex Garland were returning for the initial film in a three-movie sequel trilogy.

There was also follow-up film 28 Weeks Later in 2007, but Murphy sat that one out and Boyle and Garland served merely as executive producers, leaving it to filmmaker Juan Carlos Fresnadillo to helm.

Now, three major British Hollywood stars have been unveiled as joining the cast for major parts in 28 Years Later, tying the worlds of Harry Potter, Killing Eve and even perhaps James Bond together.

So, who are they and what do we know so far about their roles?

Who’s been cast in 28 Days Later sequel 28 Years Later?

Ralph Fiennes

Ralph Fiennes has been in everything from James Bond to Harry Potter (Picture: Getty)

According to Deadline, Harry Potter star Ralph Fiennes has signed on to play one of the three major roles in 28 Years Later.

Fiennes, 61, scared a generation of fans with his portrayal of Lord Voldermort in the wizarding movies but has also been one of the UK’s most successful actors for decades.

The two-time Oscar nominee has also appeared in Schindler’s List, The English Patient, and Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Fiennes also portrayed James Bond’s boss Mallory, the chief of MI6, in Skyfall, Spectre and No Time to Die.

Nothing is known yet about his role or the plot of the film, but we can assume events may well be sent 28 years after the outbreak of the initial virus, for which Murphy’s bicycle courier was in a coma before waking up to find the world overrun with zombies.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Aaron Taylor-Johnson, a favourite as the new 007, builds on his previous roles with 28 Years Later (Picture: Getty)

Aaron Taylor-Johnson is the second major actor said to be appearing in 28 Years Later.

Appearing in upcoming comedy-action movie The Fall Guy, starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, the 33-year-old actor has also appeared in the likes of Bullet Train, Kick-Ass and will become a Marvel (anti)hero in Kraven the Hunter later this summer.

However, most of the buzz around him in recent months has been his standing as the hot favourite to be the new James Bond, linking him to the world of 007 like his co-star Fiennes.

Although rumours of him being offered the contract in March were rubbished, the speculation persists – even if Taylor-Johnson himself is a little sick of it.

Jodie Comer

Jodie Comer is a rising British superstar (Picture: Getty)

Clearly opting to go down the route of more established names than use relative newcomers as in the past 28 Days Later films, Jodie Comer is the third actor who has been tapped to join the cast.

She broke through in a huge way with her Emmy-winning turn as Villanelle in hit show Killing Eve, later conquering Hollywood thanks to Free Guy, opposite Ryan Reynolds, and appearing in Sir Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel.

Comer will next be seen opposite Austin Butler and Tom Hardy in The Bikeriders.

Is Cillian Murphy coming back for 28 Years Later?

Original star Cillian Murphy is one fans are desperate to see in the new film (Picture: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

This is the question that fan have been obsessing over since news of a sequel first started spreading – will newly-minted best actor Oscar-holder Cillian Murphy return for 28 Years Later?

Well, the star is going to be an executive producer on the project, according to Deadline.

However, there’s been no official word yet on if he’ll be returning in an onscreen capacity too.

Fans obviously want him to, and the 47-year-old has certainly dropped hints.

Responding to rumbles of 28 Years Later back in July 2023, Murphy previously shared his enthusiasm for being involved with the project.

Murphy’s Jim wakes up from a coma to find a deserted London after a rampaging zombie virus in 28 Days Later (Picture: Peter Mountain/Twentieth Century Fox)

He told The Independent: ‘I would be there in a flash. I made two movies with both of those guys, and I would love to work with them again. Of course, I’m there.’

Earlier this year, he also teased his involvement by confirming that the idea for 28 Years Later had been ‘brewing for a while’.

‘I mean it’s for them [Boyle and Garland] to speak about I suppose, but I think it’s been brewing for a while,’ Murphy revealed, when probed further about it on Thursday’s episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast.

Nothing is known about the sequel’s plot, other than the hint the title gives (Picture: Peter Mountain/Dna/20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock)

‘The first movie was so important for me as an actor, and I love working with those guys, and Alex has an idea…’ he teased.

‘And I think Danny directing it is just huge, so – watch this space.

‘It’ll be exciting.’

The Hollywood Reporter first revealed in January that Boyle and Garland were reuniting for a 28 Days Later sequel titled 28 Years Later, projected to begin a new film trilogy.

Each film is thought to have a budget of around $75million (£58.9m).

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