Jim's return in the 28 Years Later will be an exciting return to the zombie franchise 18 years after 28 Weeks Later. The story of 28 Years Later will follow a group of survivors living on an island in the United Kingdom. The cast of 28 Years Later includes Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O'Connell, and Ralph Fiennes. 28 Years Later will be the first movie of a new trilogy that will further develop the world of the franchise.

Since Cillian Murphy, who played Jim, the main character of 28 Days Later, is producing 28 Years Later, it would make sense for his character to return in the trilogy. It has been confirmed that 28 Days Later's alternate ending, which is arguably better. Therefore, Murphy's return in 28 Years Later could make up 28 Days Later's weaker theatrical ending.

28 Days Later's Darker Alternate Ending Was Better

Jim Didn't Need To Survive Being Shot In 28 Days Later

During the climax of 28 Days Later, Murphy's Jim is shot. After being gravely wounded, it seems like a strong possibility that Jim will die at the end of the movie. However, Selena and Hannah manage to save his life. Jim eventually recovers from his gunshot wound, and the three of them attract the attention of a ing aircraft, suggesting that they will be rescued. 28 Days Later's theatrical ending was very hopeful, but director Danny Boyle originally planned an ending during which Jim dies.

Both 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later work best when they embrace the darker elements of their stories.

During 28 Days Later's alternate ending, Selena and Hannah attempt to save Jim's life after he is shot. However, he tragically dies on the operating table. It's extremely depressing that Jim dies in 28 Days Later's alternate ending after all he survives throughout the movie. However, both 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later work best when they embrace the darker elements of their stories. Therefore, 28 Days Later's darker alternate ending in which Jim dies is actually better.

28 Years Later Can Finally Give Cillian Murphy's Jim His Darker Ending

The 28 Years Later Trilogy Could Take Inspiration From 28 Days Later's Alternate Ending

It will be interesting to see Jim return at some point in the 28 Years Later trilogy. 28 years have ed since the ending of 28 Days Later, which means that Jim will likely be a completely different character. Despite 28 Weeks Later's ending, which features zombies in Paris, details about 28 Years Later's story have confirmed that the rest of the world has not been affected by the Rage Virus. Therefore, since Jim, Selena, and Hannah were seemingly rescued at the end of 28 Days Later, it will be interesting to learn what has happened in the years since.

If Jim does return as a survivor in the United Kingdom, the 28 Years Later trilogy will have to reveal how he ended up back there after the ending of the original movie. Since 28 Days Later's alternate ending was actually stronger, Jim's role in the trilogy can remedy the fact that Boyle chose to go with a more hopeful ending. Jim's role in the 28 Years Later trilogy needs to justify the hopeful ending, and could even finally kill him, honoring the alternate ending of the original movie.

28 Years Later Has Already Set Up Jim's Downfall

Jim Could Be A Villain In The 28 Years Later Trilogy

Murphy may be returning as Jim in the 28 Years Later trilogy. However, there has been no word about whether Naomie Harris and Megan Burns, who played Selena and Hannah in 28 Days Later, are returning. Since they are seemingly not returning, it's possible that Jim has lost both of them in the years between 28 Days Later and 28 Years Later. Their deaths could potentially set up Jim's downfall in the 28 Years Later trilogy. After all, a darker version of Jim has been teased for the 28 Years Later trilogy.

It has been theorized that Jim could be some kind of cult leader in the 28 Years Later trilogy. The name "Jimmy" appears twice in the trailer for 28 Years Later. It is painted on the wall of a house and carved into the body of an infected person. It has not been confirmed that this mysterious Jimmy character is Jim, but it is possible. Therefore, there's a chance that Murphy's Jim will be a villain in the 28 Years Later trilogy, which means he could finally die years after the alternate ending to 28 Days Later was scrapped.