Several actors in the upcoming film 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple have revealed they were unaware their characters would be dressed as Jimmy Savile until costume fittings. The sequel, set minutes after last year's 28 Years Later, features a gang called 'the Jimmies' who wear shell suits, gold chains and blonde wigs reminiscent of the disgraced entertainer.
Executive producer Danny Boyle confirmed Savile was the inspiration for the cult leader Jimmy Crystal and his followers. 'He's as much to do with pop culture as he is to do with sportswear, to do with cricket, to do with the honours system,' Boyle said. The film imagines a world where Savile's crimes were never revealed because the Rage virus swept the UK in 2002.
Robert Rhodes, who plays Jimmy Jimmy, said he only realised during his costume fitting. 'I kind of left it going, “Um, am I dressed as Jimmy Savile?”' he told Metro at the London premiere. Connor Newall (Jimmy Shite) said his mother made the connection when he called her from the make-up trailer.
Irish actress Maura Bird (Jimmy Jones) said she didn't grow up with Savile's TV persona, viewing him simply as 'a creepy guy'. Sam Locke (Jimmy Fox) noted the cast developed strong 'synergy' in playing the roles. The film has been described as an 'unpredictable, blood-drenched sequel' with extreme violence.
