Danny Boyle has offered fans of the modern zombie horror revival a rare ray of hope, confirming that the third installment in the 28 Years Later trilogy will eventually be made, even as it remains without an official greenlight or release date. Speaking at the Zurich Film Festival, as reported by Variety, the acclaimed director addressed the long silence surrounding the planned conclusion to the franchise that began with 2028’s 28 Days Later and continued with this year’s 28 Years Later, a film widely praised for revitalizing the genre.
Despite the rapid turnaround between the first two entries, the trilogy’s finale has seen little public movement for months. Boyle, however, insisted the project is far from dead. “28 Years 3, or whatever it ends up being called, will get made because people keep asking about it,” Boyle said. He stopped short of committing to a timeline, noting he was unsure when production would begin, but offered reassurance that the groundwork is already in place. Alex Garland, who wrote 28 Days Later and both 28 Years Later films, has already completed the script, which Boyle described as “very good.”
A Script Ready, a Greenlight Still Pending
While Boyle’s optimism is palpable, the project still faces a significant hurdle: the trilogy’s conclusion has not been officially approved by the studios behind the films. The writer-director acknowledged this reality, framing the film’s eventual production as a response to sustained audience demand rather than a guaranteed slate entry. The gap between a finished script and a confirmed production remains wide in Hollywood, and Boyle’s comments may read more as a promise than a guarantee for eager fans.
“28 Years 3, or whatever it ends up being called, will get made because people keep asking about it.”
Danny Boyle, director
Cillian Murphy’s Return Looms Large
The next film is expected to heavily feature Cillian Murphy, who originated the lead role in 28 Days Later. Murphy’s return was teased at the end of 28 Years Later, where he made a brief appearance, and his character Jim would presumably reunite with the surviving pair from that film, Spike, played by Alfie Williams, and Kellie, played by Erin Kellyman. The prospect of Murphy returning to the role that launched his international career has energized the fanbase, even as details about his character’s arc remain under wraps.
Boyle Reflects on the James Bond Franchise
Beyond the zombie franchise, Boyle also opened up about his history with the James Bond series. The director was previously attached to direct James Bond’s final film, with Daniel Craig set to conclude his tenure in the iconic role, before he reportedly departed the project amid creative differences with producers and Craig himself. “They lost confidence in it,” Boyle said. “It’s a shame, because it could have been really good.” Cary Joji Fukunaga would ultimately take the helm instead.
Looking to the future, Boyle expressed confidence in Denis Villeneuve, who is set to direct the next Bond film, calling him a good steward for the franchise. In a twist of Hollywood history, Villeneuve was initially courted to direct No Time to Die before Boyle’s attachment to the project. When asked who should succeed Craig in the role, Boyle pointed to Jack O’Connell, who has collaborated with the director on the first 28 Years Later and the upcoming film Ink. Audiences will also recognize O’Connell from his role as the disturbingly charismatic vampire Remmick in Sinners.
Looking Ahead
For now, fans of the 28 Years Later franchise are left to cling to Boyle’s assurance that the third film will happen, even without a confirmed production date or official approval. The completed script by Alex Garland provides a strong foundation, and the anticipated return of Cillian Murphy promises to anchor the conclusion. Until studios formally greenlight the project, Boyle’s comments stand as the clearest signal yet that the trilogy’s finale remains alive, waiting for the right moment to finally begin production.
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