Cillian Murphy Isn’t the Viral ‘28 Years Later’ Zombie After All

Fans hoping to see a zombified Cillian Murphy reprise the role of Jim in Danny Boyle’s upcoming 28 Days Later sequel might be in for a disappointment. An art dealer has come forward as the emaciated zombie bearing a striking resemblance to Murphy that made a brief appearance in the 28 Years Later trailer released on Tuesday. Angus Neill, an art dealer and professional model, told The Guardian that Boyle talent-spotted him and was struck by his distinctive look. “Danny told me he’d always had me in mind for the role,” Neill told The Guardian. “So we met up, hit it off, and I agreed to take part.” Murphy starred in the original 28 Days Later as Jim, a bike courier who wakes up from a coma and discovers London has been devastated by a highly contagious “rage virus” that turns people into violent zombies. His character survives but doesn’t appear in the first sequel, 28 Weeks Later, which was made by a different production team. Now Boyle is back for the third installment, which comes out in June, and fans were hoping Murphy would also make a surprise appearance, even though he wasn’t listed as part of the cast. Sony Pictures hasn’t commented on the prospects of an undead Jim, but Ugly Models, the agency representing Neill, confirmed The Guardian’s report on its Instagram account. “POV: You thought this was Cillian Murphy…” the agency wrote alongside stills from the 28 Years Later trailer before adding, “Introducing… Angus Neill.”