28 Years Later has begun filming in England. What else will we find out about Danny Boyle’s new trilogy?
Followers of the 2002 movie 28 Days Later and its follow-up 28 Weeks Later have been ready seventeen years for one more entry within the franchise, hoping we’d sometime see a film referred to as 28 Months Later. We’re not getting that one, however 28 Days Later director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland are at present engaged on reviving the franchise, they usually’re going to make this revival well worth the wait. Not solely are we getting a brand new film referred to as 28 Years Later, however we’re really getting an entire trilogy of sequels! Sony has reported that the movie is about for a June twentieth, 2025 launch date. The movie started capturing in late Might across the Northeast of England. However what else will we find out about this 28 Years Later sequel trilogy.
LONG IN THE WORKS
Method again in 2009, we heard that Paul Andrew Williams (The Cottage) was on board to direct 28 Months Later… however that mission didn’t make it into manufacturing. Since then, we’ve heard Boyle and Garland point out 28 Months Later each now and again. They might say there was an amazing concept for the sequel, then later say it would by no means occur. In a 2022 interview, Boyle stated Garland had already written the script, and it would lastly be the time to make it right into a film. In the course of 2023, the collaborators confirmed to Inverse that they have been having severe talks in regards to the sequel, which they have been calling 28 Years Later. Garland stated, “A couple of years in the past an concept materialized in my head for what can be actually 28 Years Later. Danny at all times preferred the thought.“ Boyle added, “So we’re speaking about it fairly severely, fairly diligently. If he doesn’t need to direct it himself I’ll be properly up for it if we will execute a equally good concept.“
28 Weeks Later wasn’t as profitable as its predecessor, making $65.8 million on a finances of $15 million vs. 28 Days Later‘s $84.6 million on a budget of $8 million. That’s a part of the rationale why one other sequel hasn’t occurred sooner – together with the truth that Garland wasn’t overly happy with the 2007 sequel 28 Weeks Later, which he didn’t write. Garland instructed Inverse, “I resisted [making a sequel] for a very long time as a result of there have been issues about 28 Weeks that bugged me. I simply thought, ‘F*ck that. I’d fairly attempt to write a unique story in a unique world.’“ Now he’s prepared to put in writing not only one however three new tales within the 28 Days Later world. No plot particulars have been revealed.
DIRECTORS
Alex Garland is anticipated to put in writing the scripts for all three of the 28 Years Later films, however apparently didn’t need to direct them. Danny Boyle will solely be directing the primary one. For the second movie, presumably titled 28 Years Later Half 2, he’ll be passing the helm over to The Marvels and Candyman director Nia DaCosta. Manufacturing on DaCosta’s sequel will start instantly after Boyle wraps filming on his. They needed to have the sequel director signed on earlier than filming on the primary film begins, as they need to “make sure each director is on the same page in regard to the story while also having time to bring their own vision to life.”
CILLIAN MURPHY
In 28 Days Later, Cillian Murphy performed bicycle courier Jim, who wakes up from a coma to seek out himself in an apocalyptic England (form of much like the beginning of The Strolling Useless, which started in comedian e book type across the similar time the film was launched) that’s overrun by individuals who have been contaminated by a rage virus. Boyle and Garland went by means of a number of endings for the movie earlier than touchdown on the one movie-goers noticed in theatres – and that ending was the one one the place Jim survived. So he’s nonetheless on the market, able to dwell by means of one other rage virus nightmare 28 years later. If Boyle and Garland determine to place him within the story.
Whereas doing the press rounds for Oppenheimer final yr, the Oscar profitable Murphy instructed Collider, “I was talking to Danny Boyle recently, and I said, ‘Danny, we shot the movie at the end of 2000.’ So I think we’re definitely approaching the 28 Years Later. But like I’ve always said, I’m up for it. I’d love to do it. If Alex [Garland] thinks there’s a script in it and Danny wants to do it, I’d love to do it.“ Despite the fact that Murphy is willing to reprise the role of Jim and is returning as an executive producer on 28 Years Later, we still haven’t heard confirmation that he’ll actually be in the movie. While talking to Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast a couple months ago, Murphy said (with thanks to Coming Soon for the transcription), “It’s for (Danny Boyle and Alex Garland) to speak about, I suppose, but I think it’s been brewing for a while. The first movie was so important for me, as an actor. I love working with those guys. Alex has an idea. And Danny directing is just huge. Watch this space.”
Ultimately, it appears to be like as if Murphy might be again, with Sony chief Tom Rothman teasing his return to the franchise in a “surprising way”.
WILL JIM BE ONE OF THE INFECTED?
Whereas some would possibly assume meaning Jim has change into one of many contaminated within the 28 years for the reason that first movie, the actor did point out that his return might be in a method that grows. Presumably, meaning he’ll have a smaller function within the first film of the trilogy, however play a much bigger half within the subsequent two movies. That doesn’t imply he WON’T be contaminated although, because it’s attainable Jim might play a member of the contaminated who begins to regain his humanity, type of in a method that might pay tribute to probably the most well-known zombie of the all, Day of the Useless‘s Bub.
CAST
Whereas we wait to listen to what Murphy’s function might be, different casting information has been popping up. Trade scooper Daniel Richtman had shared the rumor that Jodie Comer (Killing Eve) and Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy) have been in talks to play the lead roles. Deadline has since reported that they’ve heard Comer is certainly within the solid, together with Aaron Taylor-Johnson (The Fall Man) and Ralph Fiennes (Skyfall). There was no additional phrase about Hunnam’s involvement, and it appears to be like like he’s not on the docket. Nevertheless, not too long ago Jack O’Connell (Unbroken) was added to the solid in a supporting function, with the thrill being that his character is supposed to emerge as a lead in follow-up films. Particulars on the characters these actors could be taking part in are, in fact, being stored below wraps.
DISTRIBUTION
There was a bidding warfare over the distribution rights to the 28 Years Later trilogy, with Warner Bros. and Sony rising as the ultimate rivals – and Sony taking the win ultimately. In accordance with The Hollywood Reporter, “Each movie will have a budget in the $60 million range but it’s unclear how goalposts or compensation may have changed during the high-stakes negotiations. A theatrical release was of great import to the filmmakers.” Sony had an edge on this race as a result of the truth that it’s headed up by Tom Rothman, who was at Fox and labored with Boyle on eight totally different films there. Launch dates haven’t but been introduced.
Boyle and Garland are producing 28 Years Later. Bernie Bellew can also be producing, as are unique producer Andrew Macdonald, and Peter Rice, who was the pinnacle of Fox Searchlight Photos when that firm backed 28 Days Later. As talked about, Murphy is govt producing.
And that’s every part we all know in regards to the 28 Years Later trilogy at this level. Are you trying ahead to those movies? Tell us by leaving a remark under.
