The highly anticipated next chapter in the acclaimed zombie horror franchise, which includes the cult classics “28 Days Later” and “28 Weeks Later,” is officially in development as the first installment of an exciting new trilogy, multiple sources have confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.
After nearly two decades since the release of the original “28 Days Later” in 2002, fans can rejoice as the upcoming film, titled “28 Years Later,” is set to bring back the dynamic duo of director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland.
The pair, who collaborated on the first film and served as executive producers on the 2007 sequel, are joining forces once again to helm this latest project.
According to an exclusive report from The Hollywood Reporter, the film is poised to be the inaugural entry in a new trilogy. Insiders reveal that the project is scheduled to be pitched to various studios, streaming platforms, and potential buyers in the upcoming week.
Danny Boyle will be back in the director’s chair for “28 Years Later,” while Alex Garland will be responsible for penning all three films in the trilogy. The budget for each installment is estimated to be around $75 million, a substantial increase from the modest $8 million budget of the original “28 Days Later.”
The 2002 film, a critical triumph and unexpected box office success, catapulted actor Cillian Murphy to stardom. In “28 Days Later,” Murphy portrayed a bicycle courier awakening from a coma to a post-apocalyptic UK overrun by a virus that transforms victims into bloodthirsty aggressors.
Recognized by The Guardian as a “muscular, virile piece of filmmaking,” the movie is credited with revitalizing the zombie horror genre, introducing fast-moving and terrifying zombies rather than the traditional lumbering undead.
The possibility of a third installment in the franchise has been teased since 2007. Boyle hinted at the idea back then, and key figures such as Garland, Murphy, and co-star Imogen Poots have expressed interest over the past decade.
While no actors are currently attached to the upcoming film, Murphy expressed his enthusiasm for the enduring appeal of the original, stating in a 2022 interview with NME, “It really stands up, which is amazing for a film that’s 20 years old.” The undead saga continues, promising fans a thrilling and long-awaited addition to the iconic “28” series.