Danny Boyle has shared some new details about what Cillian Murphy’s role in the new trilogy will look like.

28 Years Later is releasing in United States theaters this coming weekend. A sequel to 2002’s 28 Days Later and 2007’s 28 Weeks Later, the film stars Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, and more.

28 Years Later is intended to kickstart a new trilogy of movies. The second entry, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, comes from Candyman and The Marvels’ Nia DaCosta. That movie has already been filmed and is expected to arrive next year.

Speaking with Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Boyle was asked about how big of a role Murphy will play in the new trilogy. Murphy originally played Jim in 28 Days Later. Boyle previously confirmed that Murphy will be in the second and third movies, though it has been unknown how large of a presence he will have in the films until now.

“I’ve been told to say to you that good things come to those who wait,” Boyle said. “There are many good things associated with Cillian. There’s a handover technique. Although the films are set and exist individually, as you hope they’ll be satisfying stories on their own. Within each one, there’s a handover sequence, which [Horowitz] has seen, where these characters are introduced. That happens in the second film.”

He added, “If we get the money, Cillian will obviously be a dominant factor in the third part of the film.”

Judging by Boyle’s comments, it sounds like Murphy likely won’t appear until the very end of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple — which has a January 16, 2026, release date — before he then becomes the protagonist, or at least a central character, of the still-untitled third movie.

28 Years Later hits United States theaters on June 20, 2025.