Danny Boyle and Alex Garland are set to reunite for the much-anticipated film, 28 Years Later, which will be released by Sony Pictures on June 20, 2025. This new installment follows their successful collaboration on the original 28 Days Later in 2002 and its sequel, 28 Weeks Later, which premiered in 2007. Buzz around a third installment has circulated since 2015, and significant developments occurred when the duo began pitching their project to potential buyers in January 2024.
The recently released trailer provides glimpses into the film’s chilling premise, utilizing a recitation of Rudyard Kipling’s war poem “Boots” to set an eerie tone. The scenes showcase a world still grappling with a zombie apocalypse, featuring young children in distress, Aaron Taylor-Johnson wielding a bow and arrow, and unsettling mascots amid remnants of a society under siege. Though the plot remains enigmatic, an official synopsis reveals that nearly three decades post-outbreak, survivors navigate a dangerous world, striving to maintain their existence against the backdrop of the continuing threat posed by the “rage virus.”
The original 28 Days Later introduced audiences to Cillian Murphy, who portrayed a man awakening from a coma into a dystopian landscape ravaged by a deadly infection. Meanwhile, 28 Weeks Later focused on new characters as society struggled to rebuild amidst chaos.
A fresh ensemble cast for 28 Years Later includes Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes, among others. Interestingly, Cillian Murphy is reportedly returning to the franchise but in a surprising manner, as confirmed by Sony’s Tom Rothman.
The excitement doesn’t end with the initial film, as this project is intended to be the first part of a trilogy. Ralph Fiennes mentioned that the first two films are already in the can. The sequel, potentially titled 28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple, and directed by Nia DaCosta, will follow shortly after the initial release.
Fans can find hope in the return of this iconic horror franchise, promising to blend nostalgia with a fresh narrative. The release in 2025 marks a significant milestone, celebrating the legacy of the original films while exploring new themes and character arcs in the ever-evolving landscape of a post-apocalyptic world. The project not only revitalizes the genre but also ignites curiosity about how these stories of survival and humanity will unfold against a backdrop of unimaginable horror.