Fans have been left convinced that Peaky Blinders and Oppenheimer actor Cillian Murphy will be returning to the 28 Days Later franchise after being spotted in the 28 Years Later trailer.

The Irish actor starred in the original cult classic movie all the way back in 2002, leaving many hoping for his return.

The upcoming release from director Danny Boyle is the third instalment in the series and takes a look at Britain 28 years after the outbreak of the deadly Rage Virus.

The new movie stars actors like Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes. It was written by Civil War and Ex Machina director Alex Garland.

Cillian Murphy 'spotted' in 28 Years Later trailer by fans

Taking to social media, fans of the franchise were convinced that they had seen the actor.

However, if eagle-eyed viewers are to be believed, the apocalypse hasn't been too kind to his character Jim with zombies, including one that looks like Cillian Murphy, being propped up like scarecrows.

Discussing the apparent sighting, one fan joked: “Cillian Murphy stuns in first look at 28 Years Later.”

Another seemed less than impressed with the potential casting, writing: “If that really Cillian Murphy as Jim you know fans are going to be mad because they’ve been waiting years for him to come back and Cillian Murphy said he would love to come back.”

One person added: “You’re telling me Cillian Murphy who just won an Oscar is pretending to be a zombie in a film instead of just playing his character from the original, I don’t think so."

Previously, Cillian Murphy said he would be keen on returning to the film series and while many think they have spotted him in the new movie, he has not been listed as an official cast member in the promotional material, instead being credited as an executive producer.