Years after the release of 28 Days Later, a comeback is on the horizon in the form of 28 Years Later and is expected to feature the Oppenheimer star, Cillian Murphy. The initial installment hit the screens in 2002, followed not so swiftly by 28 Weeks Later in 2007. The narrative remained dormant for years until the recent speculation that Murphy’s success post-Oppenheimer has rekindled the spark. Despite high hopes from enthusiasts, only time will tell how everything will pan out.
Cillian Murphy’s 28 Days Later is Coming Back With a Sequel After Two Decades!
For years, names and ideas for the sequel of this series were tossed around, but nothing was sticking. Until recently, The Hollywood Reporter exclusively revealed that Danny Boyle and Alex Garland are finally reuniting for 28 Years Later. It’s also reported that WME, representing Boyle and Garland, will oversee the sale, envisioning the project as a potential trilogy.
The upcoming sequel is anticipated to feature returning cast members from 28 Days Later, including Cillian Murphy. The latest information available suggests that Danny Boyle will direct the first movie, while Alex Garland takes charge of scripting all three.
With an estimated budget of $75 million per film putting the total to $225 million, this marks a significant departure from the modest $8 million budget of 28 Days Later. The duo will not only direct but also take on the production responsibilities, along with original producer Andrew Macdonald and Peter Rice, the former head of Fox Searchlight Pictures. Thus, it is no secret that fans are indeed excited to hear about the recent development.
What Took Them So Long and Why Now?
Cillian Murphy had a chat with NME in 2022, where he revealed,
“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. It really stands up, which is amazing for a film that’s 20 years old. So yeah, I love the idea and it’s very appealing to me.”
In Murphy’s eager tone, anticipation for his return to the saga is most certainly evident. Yet, the question lingers: What caused the delay? Despite ongoing discussions for years, the stars just didn’t align. The successes of this film in particular played a pivotal role in the surge of beloved zombie post-apocalyptic movies people have grown to enjoy and love over these two decades.
Now, with recent triumphs like The Last of Us and, most notably, Cillian Murphy’s performance in Oppenheimer, that threw him further into the spotlight, the team deems this moment as the perfect time to resurrect plans that have been brewing for decades.
