28 Years Later

28 Years Later
Directed by	Danny Boyle
Screenplay by	Alex Garland Danny Boyle
Produced by	Danny Boyle Alex Garland Andrew Macdonald Peter Rice Bernie Bellew
Starring	Cillian Murphy Aaron Taylor-Johnson Jodie Comer Ralph Fiennes Jack O'Connell Erin Kellyman Edvin Ryding
Cinematography	Anthony Dod Mantle
Edited by	Jon Harris
Production companies	Columbia Pictures DNA Films BFI Decibel Films
Distributed by	Sony Pictures Releasing
Release date	June 20, 2025 (2025-06-20)
Countries	United Kingdom United States
Language	English
Budget	$75 million

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 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

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.

Cast

• Cillian Murphy as Jim
• Aaron Taylor-Johnson
• Jodie Comer
• Ralph Fiennes
• Jack O'Connell
• Erin Kellyman
• Edvin Ryding as E. Sundqvist

Production

Development

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. In July of the same year, Danny Boyle said that the story for a third installment had been mapped out. By October 2010, Alex Garland stated that due to differences involving the film rights, the project had been delayed. In January 2011, Boyle stated that he believed the project would be realized, stating confirming further developments for the story. By April 2013, however, the filmmaker expressed uncertainty as to whether the movie would be made. 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. In June 2019, Boyle confirmed that he and Garland had been working on the third installment. In March 2020, Imogen Poots expressed interest in reprising her role from the second film, followed by Cillian Murphy in May 2021.

In November 2022, Boyle, Garland and actor Murphy all indicated their interest in making a sequel to 28 Days Later. 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. 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.

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. In February of the same year, Murphy discussed his potential involvement with the project. In March 2024, Garland confirmed that he is writing a trilogy of sequel films. The following month, the writer stated that the film Kes was a major influence on his work for 28 Years Later. Murphy was revealed as an executive producer later that month.

Casting

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

Filming

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

Release

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

Sequel

Main article: 28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple

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. 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, with principal photography beginning on August 19, 2024. The film's title was revealed as 28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple.

External links

• 28 Years Later at IMDb