An empty London, completely desolate, with nothing but Cillian Murphy wandering through the streets wearing a blue hospital gown, that was 28 Days Later, the haunting image that redefined modern horror. As Jim staggered into a world ravaged by the rage virus, Murphy unknowingly helped launch one of the genre’s most influential franchises. Decades later, the infected nightmare is stirring again.

With 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple expanding the saga, Cillian Murphy has recently signalled his readiness to return.

During a chat with The Sunday Times on the rebooted trilogy's horizon, Cillian Murphy came across both guarded and eager when quizzed on extending Jim's arc.

"Hope so! I am ready anyway," Murphy explained. Murphy's enthusiasm, which had led to his casting in the franchise's first film,  after five auditions as per The Sunday Times seems to be alive to this day. 

The willingness also comes after Cillian Murphy's standout roles in films like 2023's Oppenheimer, Steve, and the Netflix giant show, Peaky Blinders. The film, which has Nia DaCosta as director after Danny Boyle, and Alex Garland at the pen, had Murphy on board as a producer for this latest entry.

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While Murphy eyes a 28 Years Later three-peat, his Peaky Blinders thoughts reveal a thoughtful return stance.

After six runs of Peaky Blinders, loads of fans saw Tommy Shelby's arc hit a fitting close. Chatting with Deadline, Cillian Murphy stressed he had no urge to revisit without a real reason. Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man will likely continue from the point where Tommy vanishes into haze after crushing dangers staring down his end. Reviewers called the finale a full circle, which is why a movie sequel needed solid backing from its lead.

On the one hand, Murphy is known to lean toward handpicked gigs after the show's hit and his Oscar haul with Oppenheimer, meaning he would only slip back into Tommy for stuff with true story heft. The creator, Steven Knight, has also shared his wish to show the Shelbys amid WWII, something that the small screen's funds and pace could only tease.

Cillian Murphy's readiness now serves as a tease for a third 28 Days Later film, blending caution with hype to creators. It spotlights his thoughtful franchise returns, much like weighing Peaky Blinders' end against fresh chapters that honor legacies while pushing boundaries.

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What do you think about Cillian Murphy's 28 Years Later tease? Let us know in the comments!