He was cast in the lead role in Danny Boyle 's horror film '' 28 Days Later '' ( 2002 ) . He portrayed pandemic survivor Jim , who is " perplexed to find himself alone in the desolate , post-apocalyptic world " after waking from a coma in a London hospital . Casting director Gail Stevens suggested that Boyle audition Murphy for the role , having been impressed with his performance in '' Disco Pigs '' . Stevens stated that it was only after seeing his slender physique during filming that they decided to feature him fully nude at the beginning of the film . She recalled that Murphy was shy on set with the tendency to look slightly away from the camera , but enthused that he had a " dreamy , slightly de-energised , floating quality that is fantastic for the film . " Released in the UK in late 2002 , by the following July '' 28 Days Later '' had become a sleeper hit in North America and a major success worldwide , putting Murphy in front of a mass audience for the first time . His performance earned him a nomination for Best Newcomer at the 8th Empire Awards and Breakthrough Male Performance at the 2004 MTV Movie Awards . Murphy professed that he considered the film to be much deeper than a zombie or horror film , expressing surprise at the film 's success and that American audiences responded well to its content and violence
2004 MTV Movie Awards
2004 MTV Movie Awards
Cillian Murphy