An emaciated zombie actor after 28 years speaks out after Cillian Murphy rumors

Horror fans got it this week First trailer For one of the most anticipated upcoming releases of the genre: After 28 yearsthe long-awaited next installment in Danny Boyle’s Alex GarlandZombie saga. It shows a world still in post-apocalyptic chaos decades after the dead started walking, and it looks suitably terrifying. But one quick shot in the trailer got eagle-eyed viewers talking: Was that? After 28 days Star and recent Oscar winner Cillian Murphy returns to the franchise as Jim…as a semi-skeletal corpse?

It turns out that no Murphy, who is an executive producer After 28 years His on-screen appearance has not been confirmed yet (though The cast is stacked Even without him: Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams, Ralph Fiennes). According to The Guardian newspaperAngus Neill plays the zombie in the trailer – and the publication has tracked down the art dealer and fashion model to get the full story.

Neil was apparently “discovered as a talent by Boyle, who was greatly impressed by his distinctive appearance”. passes Modeling profile You’d think Neil, who The Guardian linked, had a naturally gaunt appearance Murphy He had sharp cheekbones? So you can see how Boyle was looking at him and thinking “Zombie!” Despite the presence of prosthetics and special effects makeup, Neal creates the perfect portrait of an expressive ghoul. (Sony or anyone involved in creating After 28 years He has not yet commented on Neil’s role.)

Speaking to The Guardian, Neil said: “Danny told me he had always had this role in mind. So we met, we agreed on it, and I agreed to take part… On set, he has an extraordinary ability to hypnotize you, and working with him on the film was a very intense experience.

Here’s the film’s official synopsis: “Nearly three decades have passed since the Rage Virus escaped from a bioweapons lab, and now, still in mercilessly imposed quarantine, some have found ways to exist among the infected. One such group of survivors lives on a small island Connected to the mainland by a single, heavily guarded bridge When one of the party leaves the island on a mission into the dark heart of the mainland, he discovers the secrets, wonders, and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors as well.

Murphy Jim He could Still showing up 28 years later —It would fit into the continuity of the story, and would be a great link back to the first film, which was released in 2002 and catapulted Murphy to stardom. However, with After 28 years As planned The first in a new trilogythere’s plenty of time for us to see what Jim’s been up to (most likely, a lot of zombie killing) since we last saw him.

Want more io9 news? Check when to expect the latest marvel, star warsand Star Trek Releases, what’s next for DC Universe in film and televisionAnd everything you want to know about the future Doctor Who.