Renowned filmmaker Danny Boyle and acclaimed writer Alex Garland are set to reunite for a follow-up to their groundbreaking zombie film 28 Days Later, titled “28 Years Later.”
Represented by William Morris Endeavor, both Boyle and Garland aim to create a new trilogy of films, extending the legacy of the genre-defining series. The project is scheduled to be pitched to studios and streaming platforms later this year.
The original 28 Days Later, released in 2002, was a game-changer in the zombie genre, starring Cillian Murphy and captivating audiences with its sprinting undead hordes, stark pessimism, and innovative use of early digital photography. Boyle directed the film, while Garland penned the script.
Despite its modest $8 million production budget, the film grossed an impressive $84 million globally and became a classic in the zombie genre.
A sequel, 28 Weeks Later, followed in 2007, directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, with Boyle and Garland serving as executive producers. Despite a slightly increased production budget of $15 million, the film earned a successful $65 million globally.
28 Years Later marks Boyle’s return to the director’s chair, following his 2019 film Yesterday. Garland, known for directing acclaimed features like Ex Machina and Annihilation, is attached to write the full trilogy of zombie entries.
Both Boyle and Garland will produce the project, alongside Andrew Macdonald and Peter Rice, who were involved in the original 28 Days Later.
The filmmakers are seeking a production budget of approximately $75 million for the new installment, a significant increase from the franchise’s frugal beginnings.
Cillian Murphy, who starred in the original film, has publicly expressed interest in returning for a sequel. In a 2022 interview with NME, Murphy revealed ongoing discussions about the possibility. “Every time I do bump into Danny or Alex I always mention it,” he said. Boyle, in the same feature, praised Garland’s pitch for a sequel, emphasizing its setting in England.
“It feels like a very good time actually,” Boyle remarked. “It’s funny, I hadn’t thought about it until you just said it, and I remembered ‘Bang, this script!’ which is again set in England, very much about England.”
With the return of Boyle and Garland to the beloved franchise, and the potential involvement of Cillian Murphy, 28 Years Later is poised to breathe new life into the zombie genre and captivate audiences once again. As the project advances, fans eagerly await more details about this highly anticipated sequel.
