"28 Years Later": Second sequel to "28 Days Later" is coming
The original team of Danny Boyle and Alex Garland are returning after 22 years with a second sequel to "28 Days Later". There are also plans for two more films.
The horror classic "28 Days Later" is getting a second sequel with "28 Years Later". And the two main creatives, director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland, are taking on the project. This news from the Hollywood Reporter not only made my heart beat faster, but also that of many other film fans. The original film revived the zombie genre at the time and gave it new impetus. However, according to Boyle, "28 Days Later" was not a zombie film at all. Instead, the victims are infected with a virus that causes them to boil over with rage. This turns them into uncontrollable killing machines that lack all human reason.
Five years after the first instalment, this apocalyptic tale was continued with "28 Weeks Later". However, with a new creative team: Boyle and Garland were only involved as producers. The sequel was not quite as well received by both critics and fans (72 and 66 per cent instead of 87 and 85 per cent in the Tomatometer and Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes). The film was nevertheless successful at the box office.
There are plans to shoot the second sequel "28 Years Later" with a budget of around 75 million US dollars. It would be by far the most expensive part of the series. The original film only cost 8 million dollars and grossed 85 million. "28 Weeks Later" grossed 65 million dollars on a budget of 15 million dollars.
Threequel planned?
If everything goes according to plan, the sequel could even become a completely new trilogy, according to the Hollywood Reporter. However, Boyle would only direct the first film. Garland, in turn, would contribute the screenplay for each part. And the budget for each additional film would also be around 75 million dollars.
Possible comeback of "Oppenheimer" star Cillian Murphy
This year's Golden Globes winner and Oscar favourite Cillian Murphy ("Oppenheimer", "Batman Begins", "Peaky Blinders") could also be involved. The Irish actor has repeatedly emphasised that he would not be averse to the franchise. He told the NME:
Every time I come across Danny [Boyle] or Alex [Garland], I mention it. Because I showed the film to my kids recently, on Halloween four or five years ago, and they loved it. It's held up really well, which is amazing for a film that's 20 years old. So yeah, I love that idea and I think it's very appealing.
I'd definitely be interested to see how his character Jim has fared after all these years. And also what has become of Hannah (Naomie Harris) and Hannah (Megan Burns).
Did you love "28 Days Later" back then as much as I did? What do you think of the plans for a sequel and would you like to see Cillian Murphy reprise his role? Let me know in the comments.
Cover photo: 20th Century Fox
My interests are varied, I just like to enjoy life. Always on the lookout for news about darts, gaming, films and series.