Cillian Murphy is “Available” for '28 Days Later' Sequel 

Cillian Murphy opened up about his breakthrough role in ‘28 Days Later,’ emphasizing that he didn't initially view it as a typical zombie movie. The actor, now a first-time Oscar nominee for his role in ‘Oppenheimer,’ shared insights during a conversation for the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Conversations program, recorded in December.

In the nearly 90-minute discussion, Murphy delved into his extensive career on both stage and screen, highlighting his collaboration with director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland on the 2002 hit film.

Reflecting on the making of ‘28 Days Later,’ Murphy revealed, "I wasn’t too aware we were making a zombie movie, to be honest with you." He admitted to not having seen George A. Romero’s ‘Night of the Living Dead’ series at the time. The actor recalled the context of the film's production, coinciding with the SARS outbreak and heightened concerns about "air rage."

The actor humourously noted that before the film's release, the zombie genre was not as popular, coining an unintentional pun that elicited laughter from the audience. "Before ’28 Days Later,’ there weren’t that many zombie movies — it was kind of a dead genre," he remarked, highlighting how Boyle and Garland successfully revitalized the genre with their film.

Addressing the film's thematic relevance, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, Murphy credited Garland for portraying it more as a pandemic story. He acknowledged the abundance of memes referencing '28 Days Later' during the pandemic, emphasizing the timeless and prescient nature of good writing.

Cillian Murphy shared his journey to securing the role in ‘28 Days Later,’ reminiscing about his admiration for director Danny Boyle's formative films, ‘Shallow Grave’ and ‘Trainspotting.’ Expressing his eagerness to be part of ‘28 Days Later,’ Murphy revealed he auditioned six times for the role, driven by his deep respect for Boyle's work.

Also Read: Is Cillian Murphy Returning to His Breakout Role in The ’28 Days Later’ Sequel?

Recalling his nerves as a newcomer headlining a film alongside established actors like Brendan Gleeson, Murphy reflected on their prior collaboration in ‘Sweety Barrett,’ where Gleeson played the title role, marking Murphy's film debut. Fondly remembering Gleeson's kindness during their first film together, Murphy emphasized Gleeson's role as one of his heroes.

– Farheen Ali