The long wait is almost over for fans of the zombie apocalypse genre as 28 Years Later, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2002 classic 28 Days Later, has officially wrapped production. Directed by the original visionary Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland, the film marks the first chapter in a planned trilogy that promises to expand on the terrifying world they first introduced over two decades ago.
As 28 Days Later fans know, the film redefined the zombie genre with its intense, fast-paced depiction of a world overrun by people infected with a rage-inducing virus. Now, with 28 Years Later, Boyle and Garland have reunited to revisit that nightmarish landscape, this time set nearly three decades after the events of the original film.
The ensemble cast is led by Jodie Comer (The Bikeriders), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (The Fall Guy), Erin Kellyman (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier), and Ralph Fiennes (Conclave). Fans of the original will also be thrilled to learn that Cillian Murphy is set to return in a “surprising way,” reprising his role as Jim, the bicycle courier who survived the initial outbreak.
In 28 Days Later, we last saw Jim barely escaping the horrors of a post-apocalyptic England, and it appears he is not out of the woods yet. With multiple endings considered for the original film, the one where Jim survives became canon, leaving his character ripe for a return in this new chapter.
While Danny Boyle has masterfully directed 28 Years Later, he will be passing the torch to Nia DaCosta, known for her work on Candyman and The Marvels, to direct the second film in the trilogy. Alex Garland, who has consistently delivered gripping narratives in the horror and sci-fi genres, is already hard at work on the screenplay for this next installment.
Andrew Macdonald, a producer who has been with the franchise since its inception, recently shared exciting news during an appearance at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. He confirmed that not only has filming for 28 Years Later concluded, but production on the sequel will begin imminently. Macdonald also hinted at the broader scope of the trilogy, expressing hopes that this continuation of the 28 Days Later saga will span three films.
The trilogy is being produced in collaboration with Sony, ensuring each film receives a theatrical release. 28 Years Later alone boasts a budget of $75 million, setting a new standard for the series in terms of scale and ambition. The film is set to hit theaters on June 20, 2025, and if the buzz is anything to go by, fans can expect another heart-pounding journey into the rage virus-ravaged world.
