It has been more than twenty years since moviegoers first witnessed the chilling zombie-infested London in Danny Boyle’s cult classic 28 Days Later. The film not only established the Slumdog Millionaire director as a master of horror but also introduced us to the talented Cillian Murphy. Thus, this has given fans a good reason to look forward to a potential $84.6 million film sequel. And the burning question that everyone is wondering is whether Cillian Murphy will return as Jim.
Rumors and speculation about a second installation have circulated for years. As per a recent report by THR, Boyle (director) and Alex Garland (writer) are working on a follow-up to their 2002 groundbreaking horror film 28 Days Later. Moreover, the film, titled 28 Months Later, aims to establish a new trilogy of films.
28 Years Later: Alex Garland and Danny Boyle Reunite to Start a Trilogy?
Although writer Alex Garland and director Danny Boyle (Yesterday, Slumdog Millionaire) had been discussing a sequel to the post-apocalyptic horror film for some time, they decided not to wait the full 28 years. But now, the idea is official. In addition to a new movie (28 Years Later), they will release a complete trilogy set in the post-apocalyptic zombie world they created in 2002. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter:
“Danny Boyle and Alex Garland, the director and writer of the 2002 movie, are reuniting for 28 Years Later, a new zombie thriller that is expected to hit studios, streamers and other potential buyers later this week, according to multiple sources. WME, which reps Boyle and Garland, will take out the package and handle the sale.”
This package is more than just a simple, modern sequel; a whole new trilogy is currently being planned. Boyle will be directing the first, and Garland will pen the scripts, with an estimated $75 million budget for each installment. THR reported:
“The pair would also produce, as would original producer Andrew Macdonald and Peter Rice, the former head of Fox Searchlight Pictures, the division of onetime studio Twentieth Century Fox that originally backed the British-made movie and its sequel.”
With a cast that included Cillian Murphy, Christopher Eccleston, Naomie Harris, Brendan Gleeson, and many more, an epic post-rock soundtrack, 28 Days Later became an instant hit. It generated over ten times the revenue of its $8 million budget.
Will Cillian Murphy Return in the 28 Days Later Sequel?
Cillian Murphy has starred in a number of significant films, most notably Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, for which he received critical praise. Nonetheless, the actor has acknowledged in the past that he would be open to reprising his role as Jim. While promoting Oppenheimer, the actor spoke with Collider about the possibility of returning to the series. He acknowledged that he would “love to” work on the project if Alex Garland and Boyle were involved:
“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.”
Although Boyle, Garland, and Murphy have openly discussed making a comeback for the 28 Days Later sequel, the actor is not currently involved in this new endeavor. The three of them frequently talked about working on a follow-up, Murphy said in an interview with NME in 2022.
“Every time I do bump into Danny or Alex I always mention it. I showed it to my kids recently — some Halloween about four or five years ago — and they loved it..So yeah, I love the idea and it’s very appealing to me..”
Given the confirmation that Murphy has been in communication with the makers, along with the knowledge that Garland and Boyle are also now busy working on a plan, maybe fans will get their much-anticipated sequel.
It is hoped that the 28 Years Later tease will not have to wait until 2028 to come to pass.
