28 Years Later star Chi Lewis-Parry reveals bold twist for Samson & James Bond plan

by

Chi Lewis-Parry has been fascinated with Hollywood horror films, ever since his first time watching ‘The Thing’.

He remembered being very young and scared while watching the movie hidden behind a chair at his cousin’s house. He then enthusiastically shared his admiration for John Carpenter, adding that he still has a collection of the original VHS tapes.

It makes perfect sense that the retired MMA fighter transitioned into horror himself, delivering a breakout performance as the terrifying giant, Samson, in Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later. They filmed the sequel, The Bone Temple, immediately after the first movie, with Nia DaCosta, who directed Candyman, leading the project.

In a recent interview with TopMob, Lewis-Parry discussed his upcoming film, The Bone Temple, his close friendship with Ralph Fiennes, and his vision for the next James Bond movie, planned for release in 2026.

Chi Lewis-Parry hints Samson’s bizarre dynamic with Dr. Kelson in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

People were surprised by early looks at the sequel, which showed Samson behaving much more calmly around Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes). This unexpected shift in their relationship required the actor playing Samson, Lewis-Parry, to tone down his usually powerful and intimidating performance at times.

He’s quite accustomed to adjusting to different situations, likely because of his height – he stands at 6 feet 9 inches. He explains, “It’s important to be aware of how you come across, and I always try to make people comfortable, especially since I’m often not wearing much…”

I was portraying a very intense character – covered in blood, yelling, and acting aggressively. To balance that out, I made a point of being upbeat and energetic off-camera. I’d chat and joke with everyone, but being able to switch into that powerful, dramatic mode when needed was key to making a strong impression.

When DaCosta took charge, her focused energy proved valuable. While Boyle approaches projects with playful excitement, knowing exactly what he envisions, DaCosta gave Lewis-Parry a lot of independence while remaining highly focused on the goals. DaCosta is more direct, immediately outlining her vision and problem-solving approach. She clearly communicated her trust in Lewis-Parry and their abilities, saying, ‘I trust you to do what you know is best.’

Lewis-Parry and Fiennes created a surprisingly special scene together in the new movie that fans are sure to love. We won’t reveal any details to avoid trouble with Sony, but you’ll immediately recognize it when you watch!

I was just following Ralph’s lead. We’d filmed several takes of Samson sitting alone, and because we were far enough away that no one could hear, we started quietly talking to each other. Then, he took my hand, and we spontaneously tried something new. I really hope audiences like it, because it was a completely unplanned moment!

The latest trailer suggests Kelson has been exploring the origins of the infection. While Lewis-Parry didn’t share any specific details, he mentioned that Samson’s relationship with Kelson will be very different in the sequel, due to the drugs Kelson used to combat the Alpha in the first movie.

Samson isn’t a typical leader; he leans more towards being independent and self-reliant. He seeks advice from Kelson, but still possesses a powerful, dominant side. He essentially projects an attitude of invincibility and warns others not to interfere with him, asserting his strength.

Bromance blossomed between Ralph Fiennes and Chi Lewis-Parry

It appears Samson isn’t alone in his physicality. Both Lewis-Parry and Fiennes prepared for their roles in post-apocalyptic Britain through intense training, and Fiennes is known for his dedication to fitness, in addition to being a celebrated actor.

People often assume that strength and athleticism decline after age 50, but this person completely defies that expectation. He’s incredibly strong, yet remarkably humble about his abilities.

He readily agrees to things, saying something like, ‘Sure, let’s go for it!’ But it makes you wonder if he realizes how challenging or difficult the task actually is.

Looking back at how I got here, I’m still pretty grounded, but I’m definitely determined to keep improving. Lately, that’s meant unleashing some serious mayhem in games like Gladiator II, Kraven the Hunter, and The Running Man – lots of action and, yeah, a bit of carnage!

He used to admire actors like Ralph Fiennes, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Paul Mescal, and Glen Powell, but now he’s collaborating with them as a professional equal.

I generally believe in my own ability to succeed, so I only pursue things I think I can win at – otherwise, what’s the use? I have a lot of respect for talented people, but there comes a time when you need to decide if you’re still just an admirer, or if you see them as an equal.

Look, I’ll always love the game that first got me into this series – it’s super special to me. But honestly, I’m hoping the developers and I can team up. I really want to bring my A-game and help make things even better, if they’re open to it. I want to collaborate and show them what I can do!

Many horror fans are likely unaware that Lewis-Parry initially worked as a mixed martial arts fighter. He took up the sport as a way to quickly earn money and because it offered the flexibility he needed to chase his true goal: a career in acting.

I grew up in a tough neighborhood where fighting was a common way to protect yourself on the way to school. There were even times when people would get off the bus just to start trouble, with gangs sometimes chasing after us! It wasn’t quite as extreme as a movie like ‘Escape From LA,’ but it definitely had its challenges, and I channeled all that energy into sports.

Again, his love for John Carpenter bleeds through at any given opportunity.

Chi Lewis-Parry has a bold plan to reinvent a classic James Bond villain

While it’s unknown if Lewis-Parry will return for another ’28 Years Later’ film, he’s expressed interest in the James Bond franchise. Surprisingly, he doesn’t want to play James Bond himself – he’d rather take on the role of the famous villain, Jaws.

I see the character Jaws in 2026 as a powerful enforcer – athletic, aggressive, and someone who uses sheer strength to get the job done. He doesn’t bother with finesse; he’s all about overwhelming force. Imagine him smashing through doors instead of opening them, even ripping them off their hinges. I’ve developed a detailed backstory for him, including a compelling reason for his metal jaw, and he’s a surprisingly skilled tactician.

The original ‘Jaws’ movie, while impactful for its time, doesn’t seem as frightening now because of its slower pace. A shark that’s incredibly fast and delivers a fatal bite is much more terrifying – it’s a truly powerful and destructive threat.

Lewis-Parry often returns to working in horror, even though a role like James Bond could be a future ambition. Horror actually became a source of comfort for them during childhood.

I still often listen to scary movies – like ‘The Thing’ or ‘Prince of Darkness’ – to help me fall asleep.

Blissful.

Read More

2026-01-07 17:51