Danny Boyle and Alex Garland are set to reunite for the release of “28 Years Later” in partnership with Sony Pictures, scheduled for 2025. This new project follows the success of “28 Days Later,” which debuted in 2002, and its sequel, “28 Weeks Later,” released in 2007. Rumors about a third installment have been circulating since 2015, but it wasn’t until this year that progress seemed significant. Reports from The Hollywood Reporter indicate that Boyle and Garland have been promoting the project since January 2024, and intriguingly, they are pitching an entire trilogy of films.
The recently released trailer adds a chilling atmosphere, featuring a recitation of Rudyard Kipling’s war poem “Boots.” The two-minute preview hints at a world deeply affected by the ongoing zombie crisis, with scenes showcasing terrified children, Aaron Taylor-Johnson wielding a bow and arrow, unsettling masked figures, a striking skull pile, and a figure resembling Cillian Murphy. However, details about the plot remain elusive.
An official synopsis provides clarity, revealing that nearly three decades post “rage virus” outbreak, survivors navigate a “ruthlessly enforced” quarantine. A group on a remote island, linked to the mainland by a secure causeway, embarks on a mission that uncovers not just horrors but also unexpected secrets and wonders that have evolved among the infected and other survivors.
The franchise began with Cillian Murphy’s character waking from a coma to a world ravaged by the disease, while “28 Weeks Later” presented new characters grappling with the aftermath of the initial epidemic. This new entry in the franchise will feature a cast that includes Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, and others, while details about Murphy’s involvement remain mysterious. Although not officially confirmed, Sony executive Tom Rothman teased that Murphy would return in a surprising manner.
In an exciting twist, it has been reported that both “28 Years Later” and its sequel have already been filmed back-to-back. The second film may potentially have the title “28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple,” while Boyle will direct the first installment and Nia DaCosta, known for “Candyman,” will helm the second.
Fans can mark their calendars for June 20, 2025, as the release date approaches. This film will be a significant milestone, occurring nearly 23 years after the original, promising to build on the franchise’s legacy of horror and suspense. The reunion of Boyle and Garland, along with a talented cast, holds the potential for a thrilling continuation of the saga, rekindling interest and excitement among avid followers of the series.
With a promising trilogy ahead, the horror genre has much to anticipate, and “28 Years Later” is poised to deliver a fresh and compelling narrative that resonates with both new and returning audiences alike.