At a December taping of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Conversations program, Cillian Murphy discussed his career at length, including a segment on his breakthrough role in the 2002 film 28 Days Later and his work with the film’s director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland. At the time, Murphy didn’t even consider it a zombie flick: “It was right around the time SARS happened and there was all this ‘air rage’ stuff going on. So I never felt it was a zombie film. And I’m glad I didn’t watch the Romero movies because I didn’t realize how hallowed those movies were.”

Murphy also looked back at his booking process for the role, mentioning that he had already been a fan of other films by Boyle, such as Shallow Grave and Trainspotting: “They were formative films for me…I remember going to see them in the cinema, they were huge for me. So I really desperately wanted [‘28 Days Later.’]”

Murphy also discussed how two endings for the film were shot: one where Murphy’s character, Jim, dies as well as one where he lives. The shot where Jim lives was chosen as the ending and with talks of a sequel to the film, it could be good that Jim survived. A sequel was recently greenlit in January with both Boyle and Garland coming back as well as Murphy serving as an executive producer. 

To watch the full interview, check out the video below: