It has been confirmed that Cillian Murphy is not the emaciated zombie in Danny Boyle’s upcoming 28 Years Later, sequel to 28 Days Later. Rumours began after a scene from the trailer showed a strikingly thin zombie, which fans suspected to be Cillian Murphy.

However, it has been confirmed that the actor is not Murphy but newcomer Angus Neill, an art dealer specialising in old masters, who was talent-spotted by Boyle, after he was struck by Neill’s distinctive looks. Neill also works as a model.

Speaking to The Guardian, Neill said: “Danny told me he’d always had me in mind for the role. So we met up, hit it off, and I agreed to take part.

“On set he has an extraordinary ability to hypnotise you, and working with him on the film was a very, very intense experience”.

Reactions on X were generally positive surrounding Murphy’s apparent cameo, with one user writing that the actor had “that perfect eerie vibe to pull off an infected”.

While preparing for his role for J Robert Oppenheimer, Murphy lost a lot of weight, leading to further speculation surrounding his supposed part in 28 Days Later.

Murphy played a bicycle courier in the original film 28 Days Later, with his character surviving the film. Murphy commented on his eagerness to be involved in the upcoming film, “I would be there in a flash. I made two movies with both of those guys [Boyle and writer Alex Garland], and I would love to work with them again. Of course, I’m there.”

The new movie stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, and Jack O’Connell.