28 Years Later: Everything we know
Searchlight PicturesDanny Boyle and Alex Garland are re-teaming for 28 Years Later, so here’s what we know about the zombie sequel, including release date speculation and possible cast details.
It’s one of the most iconic, disquieting images of early 2000s cinema: a lone Cillian Murphy in his hospital drabs, carrying a polybag of scavenged cans and snacks, wandering a Vanilla Sky’d London. Little did he know, it had been almost a month since the end of the world.
28 Days Later is a touchstone for zombie horror movies; not only is it a terrifying, heart-rending experience in its own right, but the innovation of sprinting zombies became its most influential staple. Then we got 28 Weeks Later, a weaker follow-up with one of the most chilling opening sequences of the decade.
While the duo served as executive producers on the sequel, they’re returning for three new movies. The first is 28 Years Later, instead of 28 Months Later.
Is there a 28 Years Later release date?
28 Years Later doesn’t have a release date yet, but it won’t be here until at least 2026.
The threequel was confirmed in early 2024 and while Garland and Boyle are definitely attached, a script hasn’t been completed yet.
With hopes that 28 Years Later could launch a new trilogy, the full package was shopped around to various production companies, streamers, and other prospective buyers before ultimately landing at Sony.
Boyle is currently attached to direct the first installment in this new chapter. Part 2 is also set to be written by Garland, and reportedly directed by Nia DaCosta (Candyman, The Marvels).
It’ll all come down to scheduling, but Boyle currently doesn’t have any other major projects on his dock, and with Garland having completed Civil War, there’s a chance production could kick off later this year. That’s just speculation though, and we’ll keep this space updated with any new information.
28 Years Later cast: Who’ll be in it?
As reported by Deadline, 28 Days Later stars:
- Jodie Comer
- Aaron Taylor-Johnson
- Ralph Fiennes
Searchlight PicturesCillian Murphy will produce 28 Years Later, but it’s unclear if he’ll act. He did say he’d return for a third film, though.
In November 2022, Murphy discussed the prospect of returning with NME. “I think there’s a problem with that, in that I’m 20 years older,” he joked, before saying, “I love the idea and it’s very appealing to me.”
Imogen Poots, who starred in 28 Weeks Later, is also keen to come back. “Oh, it’s such an interesting idea to think about. It’s weird. I think about that movie like a first love because it was really the first foray I had into acting and obviously was lucky enough to be with Rose Byrne and Jeremy Renner. All of these incredible actors,” she said in an interview with JoBlo.
What is the 28 Years Later plot?
We’ll likely see the UK (and perhaps the wider world) nearly three decades after the original outbreak of the rage virus in the 28 Years Later plot.
While the first movie ended on a hopeful note, with Murphy and his cohorts surviving the epidemic long enough for the infected to die of starvation, 28 Weeks Later had a haunting final frame: Flynn picks up Andy and Tammy from Wembley after killing Don, and he flies them across the English Channel to France. But he doesn’t realize that Andy is carrying the virus.
Seconds later, we see a horde of zombies running through Paris towards the Eiffel Tower — the virus has made it to continental Europe.
That’s all that’s out there about 28 Years Later at time of writing.
In the meantime, check out more horror with what we know about Beetlejuice 2 or Blade. Or, get your zombie fill with The Walking Dead: Dead City cast and watch all The Walking Dead spin-offs.
