28 Years Later is an upcoming post-apocalyptic horror film directed by Danny Boyle, from a screenplay he co-wrote with Alex Garland. It is a sequel to 28 Days Later (2002) and 28 Weeks Later (2007), and the third installment overall in the 28 Days Later film series. Produced by Columbia Pictures in association with BFI, DNA Films and Decibel Films, it marks the respective return of Boyle and Garland as director and writer after only acting as executive producers on the second film. Cillian Murphy reprises his role from 28 Days Later, starring alongside Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, Jack O'Connell, Erin Kellyman, and Edvin Ryding.

28 Years Later
Directed byDanny Boyle
Screenplay by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyAnthony Dod Mantle
Edited byJon Harris
Production
companies
Distributed bySony Pictures Releasing
Release date
  • June 20, 2025 (2025-06-20)
Countries
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$75 million[2][3]

28 Years Later is scheduled to be released in the United States on June 20, 2025, by Sony Pictures Releasing. A sequel, 28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple, will be directed by Nia DaCosta.

Synopsis

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Taking place after the events of 28 Weeks Later, the Rage Virus has returned, and a group of survivors must survive in a world ravaged by hordes of the infected.[4]

Cast

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Production

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Development

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In June 2007, Fox Atomic studio confirmed potential for a third film, dependent upon the financial performance of the film following its home video release.[5] In July of the same year, Danny Boyle said that the story for a third installment had been mapped out.[6] By October 2010, Alex Garland stated that due to differences involving the film rights, the project had been delayed.[7] In January 2011, Boyle stated that he believed the project would be realized, stating confirming further developments for the story.[8] By April 2013, however, the filmmaker expressed uncertainty as to whether the movie would be made.[9] In January 2015, Garland addressed the project's status, confirming that while it had fallen into development hell there were serious discussions going on behind the scenes to produce the project. Reiterating that development was progressing, stating that the script he was working on would tentatively be titled 28 Months Later.[10] In June 2019, Boyle confirmed that he and Garland had been working on the third installment.[11] In March 2020, Imogen Poots expressed interest in reprising her role from the second film,[12] followed by Cillian Murphy in May 2021.[13]

In November 2022, Boyle, Garland and actor Murphy all indicated their interest in making a sequel to 28 Days Later.[14] In June 2023, Boyle and Garland expressed in collaboration their intentions to "seriously" and "diligently" see the project enter production; while announcing that the script was now titled 28 Years Later, acknowledging the years it had taken to be developed. Boyle stated that he would like to serve as director, unless Garland chooses to.[15] By July of the same year, Murphy stated that he had recently discussed the possibility of a third film with Boyle; once again expressing interest in reprising his role if Boyle and Garland return to the franchise in their creative roles.[16]

In January 2024, it was announced that a third film titled 28 Years Later was officially in development; with plans for the project to be the first of a new trilogy of sequels. Danny Boyle will direct the first installment, with a script written by Alex Garland; while the latter will also write the scripts for each of planned sequels. Boyle, Garland, Andrew Macdonald, and Peter Rice will serve as producers.[17][18] In February of the same year, Murphy discussed his potential involvement with the project.[19] In March 2024, Garland confirmed that he is writing a trilogy of sequel films.[20] The following month, the writer stated that the film Kes was a major influence on his work for 28 Years Later.[21] Murphy was revealed as an executive producer later that month.[22]

Casting

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In April, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes were cast to star it,[23] with Jack O'Connell joining the cast,[24] and Murphy being confirmed to reprise his role as Jim.[25] Erin Kellyman would be added to the cast in June.[26]

Filming

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Principal photography began on May 7, 2024, in Northumberland,[27][28] with Anthony Dod Mantle serving as the cinematographer.[29] Filming wrapped on July 29.[30] The film was shot using an iPhone 15 Pro Max, although this was aided by many different, expensive attachments.[31]

Release

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28 Years Later is scheduled to be released in the United States and Canada by Sony Pictures Releasing on June 20, 2025.[32]

Sequel

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In April 2024, Nia DaCosta entered early negotiations to direct the second film in the new trilogy of sequels, with Boyle, Garland, Andrew Macdonald, Peter Rice, and Bernie Bellew attached as producers.[33] The following month, DaCosta was confirmed to have signed onto the project as director. The movie is filming back-to-back with 28 Years Later,[33] with principal photography beginning on August 19, 2024.[34] The film's title was revealed as 28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple.[35]

References

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  1. ^ US Copyright Office Document No. V15022D529 / 2024-02-21
  2. ^ "28 Years Later: Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes cast in sequel | Movies | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  3. ^ Gonzalez, Umberto (2024-05-11). "'28 Years Later' Sequel Gets 2025 Release Date". TheWrap. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  4. ^ https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/movies/28-years-later-release-date-cast-trailer-plot-094111918.html?guccounter=1
  5. ^ "Fox Atomic Gives Horror the Boot? Forget '28 Years Later'..." Bloody Disgusting. 27 June 2007. Archived from the original on 29 June 2007. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  6. ^ "Danny Boyle's Space Odyssey, By Kurt Loder". MTV. 16 July 2007. Archived from the original on 15 July 2007. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  7. ^ "Alex Garland on 28 Months Later, Logan's Run and Halo". Worst Previews. 3 October 2010. Archived from the original on 5 October 2010. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  8. ^ "Danny Boyle Webchat". Empire. April 19, 2007. Archived from the original on 16 November 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  9. ^ Franklin, Garth (13 April 2013). "Boyle Not Keen On 28 Months Later". Dark Horizons. Archived from the original on 9 July 2015. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  10. ^ "Alex Garland Says 28 Months Later is Being Discussed". IGN. 14 January 2015. Archived from the original on 1 February 2015. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  11. ^ "Danny Boyle confirms third 28 Days Later movie is in the works". NME. 24 June 2019. Archived from the original on 24 June 2019. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  12. ^ "Imogen Poots Wants to Return for 28 Months Later". JoBlo. 27 March 2020. Archived from the original on 27 March 2020. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  13. ^ "Cillian Murphy Would Be Up to Return for 28 Months Later". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  14. ^ Sharf, Zack (November 3, 2022). "Third 28 Days Later Film Creeps Closer as Danny Boyle, Cillian Murphy Praise Script Idea: 'It's Very Appealing'". Variety. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  15. ^ "The Oral History of 28 Days Later, Danny Boyle's Genre-Redefining Masterpiece". Inverse. 2023-06-27. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  16. ^ McPherson, Chris (July 10, 2023). "Cillian Murphy Is Down for a 28 Days Later Sequel With One Condition". Collider. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  17. ^ Kit, Borys & Mia Galuppo (January 10, 2024). "Danny Boyle, Alex Garland Teaming for Sequel to Their Zombie Hit '28 Days Later' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  18. ^ Murphy, J. Kim (January 10, 2024). "'28 Days Later' Sequel in the Works: Danny Boyle, Alex Garland Reteam to Launch New Trilogy With '28 Years Later'". Variety. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  19. ^ Horowitz, Josh (February 22, 2024). "Cillian Murphy talks Oppenheimer, Peaky Blinders, Batman, 28 Days Later - Happy Sad Confused". Happy Sad Confused. Retrieved April 6, 2024. Watch this space.
  20. ^ Jones, Ellan E. (March 30, 2024). "Civil War film-maker Alex Garland: 'In the US and UK there's a lot to be very concerned about'". The Guardian. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  21. ^ Danoff, Owen (April 2, 2024). "Civil War Director Alex Garland Reveals His Alamo Drafthouse Guest Selects Movies In New Video". ScreenRant. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  22. ^ Kit, Borys (January 31, 2024). "Zombie Sequel 28 Years Later Lands at Sony (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  23. ^ Kroll, Justin (April 24, 2024). "Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson And Ralph Fiennes To Star In 28 Years Later For Danny Boyle And Sony Pictures". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  24. ^ Kroll, Justin (May 7, 2024). "Jack O'Connell Joins '28 Years Later' Trilogy From Sony And Danny Boyle". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  25. ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (May 17, 2024). "Tom Rothman Fetes Columbia Pictures Centennial, Talks Quentin Tarantino, Streaming & How To Bring Young Audiences Back To Movie Theaters". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  26. ^ Grobar, Matt (June 10, 2024). "Erin Kellyman Joins Sony's 28 Years Later". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  27. ^ Duke, Simon (April 19, 2024). "Danny Boyle's 28 Years Later set for A-list cast as Hollywood comes to Rothbury". Evening Chronicle. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  28. ^ Hodgson, Barbara (May 7, 2024). "Danny Boyle's 28 Years Later urgently needs babies for a day's filming in Northumberland". Evening Chronicle. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  29. ^ Anthony Dod Mantle ASC BSC DFF
  30. ^ Parker, Jess (July 29, 2024). "Danny Boyle's '28 Years Later' Just Got a Thrilling Update". Collider. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  31. ^ 28 Years Later: Danny Boyle’s New Zombie Flick Was Shot on an iPhone 15
  32. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (May 10, 2024). "Sony Sets Summer 2025 Release For Danny Boyle's '28 Years Later'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  33. ^ a b Kroll, Justin (April 10, 2024). "'Candyman' Director Nia DaCosta In Talks To Helm Part Two Of New '28 Years Later' Trilogy From Sony Pictures". Deadline. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  34. ^ Tabbara, Mona (August 19, 2024). "Alex Garland and Andrew Macdonald talk '28 Years Later' trilogy, casting indie films and the importance of producers". Screen Daily. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  35. ^ US Copyright Office Document No. V15022D530 / 2024-02-21
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