"Crazy to see Cillian Murphy up close like that": Fans react hilariously to the new look of ‘28 Years Later’

The much-hyped sequel to 28 Days Later, 28 Years Later, is finally creeping into our lives. 28 Years Later is set to hit the screens on June 20, 2025, and if you thought the first outbreak was wild, this one’s going to make the Rage Virus look like the common cold. With Empire Magazine dropping exclusive covers that’ll have you questioning your sanity, it's clear the horror vibes are back with a vengeance.

Let’s get straight to it—the newsstand cover features a gaunt, infected character takes center stage, and no, it's not Cillian Murphy’s Jim. Meet Angus Neill, who’s giving us the heebie-jeebies as an emaciated infected.

Neill’s experience on set was described by the Empire Magazine as intense and hypnotic, thanks to the maestro Danny Boyle himself.

Yet, the internet’s got jokes, y'all. One X user quipped, “Crazy to see Cillian Murphy up close like that,” fueling the theory that Jim's back, albeit looking a bit worse for wear.

Another user added, “28 years later and nothing has changed, nothing looks scary about this.”

While a critic chimed in with, “W marketing to capitalize off that one screenshot where everyone was speculating the zombie in the field was Cillian Murphy.”

The roast fest continues with, “Who’s this Cillian Murphy impersonator?”

Another comment read: “Interesting fact, the guy featured here is Jake Paul’s next opponent 🤪”

A user said: "They are taking advantage of the memes I see."

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28 Years Later plot details

We’re fast-forwarding nearly three decades post-Rage Virus outbreak, landing on Holy Island. This little spot’s got a causeway guarded tighter than Area 51, and the survivors have gone all medieval on us—bows, arrows, and livestock, oh my!

Their fragile peace shatters when one brave soul ventures into the mainland, uncovering secrets and horrors that could make a grown man cry (or run for his life).

The infected have gone through some... changes. We’re talking about mutations and evolution.

It’s survival of the fittest, and both the infected and human factions are upping their game.

In case you were holding out for a Jim comeback, sorry to burst your bubble. Producer Andrew Macdonald confirmed that Cillian Murphy’s not making a cameo. He’s playing it cool as an executive producer instead.

But hey, there’s hope for future flicks—Macdonald’s got fingers crossed for Murphy’s return. Fans will have to keep their fingers crossed and eyes peeled for any surprise appearances in the upcoming installments.

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28 Years Later trailer

The trailer dropped on December 10, 2024, and the internet went bananas—10 million views in 48 hours.

28 Years Later is just the beginning. The new trilogy is kicking off, with 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple scheduled for January 16, 2026. Let’s hope the first one lives up to the hype, or the next might just be a dream deferred.

Empire Magazine also treated us to a tense image of Aaron Taylor-Johnson, bow-in-hand, facing a horde of zombies. Alongside him are Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, and Jack O'Connell, making up a cast that’s bound to bring some serious heat.

While Cillian’s on the sidelines, for now, whispers of his return keep the fandom buzzing. The cast lineup promises to bring fresh energy to the franchise, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats.

So, gear up as 28 Years Later promises to bring the horror, the suspense, and the laughs (courtesy of the internet), making it a must-watch for 2025.