28 Years Later Director Teases “Wholly Different” Approach to New Trilogy

In a fresh collaboration, filmmakers Danny Boyle and Alex Garland are reviving the rage virus saga with a thrilling new trilogy for their renowned zombie series. Over two decades since the initial outbreak wreaked havoc in Britain, the upcoming film 28 Years Later delves into the lasting impact of the virus that initially sent chills down viewers’ spines in 2002. The significant time leap offers an opportunity to scrutinize how humanity has evolved to endure a world reshaped by this pandemic, while also introducing a fresh crop of survivors who have grown up amidst this harsh new reality.

Screenwriter Alex Garland shares with Empire Magazine that the story they are working on is extremely expansive in terms of narrative. Danny and he recognized this, but attempted to simplify it. However, maintaining its original form seemed to embody a trilogy-like scope.

The grand story begins with its initial part on June 20th, followed by “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,” directed by Nia DaCosta from “Candyman.” Director Danny Boyle will come back to oversee the trilogy’s end, but according to Collider, the final chapter depends on the audience’s reaction to the first movie.

Boyle clarifies that this was an entirely new method they used, focusing on what 28 years can bring about. The rapid advancement, beyond the usual six-month leap between the initial movie and ’28 Weeks Later’, offers a lengthy timeline to delve into a drastically changed Britain, centered around the secluded Holy Island (Lindisfarne), which is accessible only when the tide recedes and reveals the causeway.

In this secure sanctuary, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Jodie Comer play the roles of Jamie and Isla, who are nurturing their 12-year-old child named Spike, portrayed by Alfie Williams, as they parent him together.

I must acknowledge that the group I’m referring to is remarkably close-knit and tightly bound, given their unique circumstances. The defense mechanisms they’ve established are stringent, understandably so, considering their prolonged existence in a seemingly perpetual hostile setting. They take great pride in their resilience, having built a thriving community as they perceive it.

The situation takes a significant shift as the young Spike decides to depart from the sheltered island, revealing the harsh reality he discovers about the world beyond.

As a movie enthusiast, I must confess my excitement bubbled over when I first caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a familiar face in the trailer for the upcoming film. Many fellow viewers speculated with me that it could only be our beloved Cillian Murphy reprising his role as Jim. However, upon closer scrutiny and after some fact-checking, I learned from Empire magazine that the undead character was actually portrayed by Angus Neill, an art dealer, not our dear Murphy. It’s always fascinating to see how details can be misconstrued in the world of cinema!

Producer Andrew Macdonald acknowledged, “I showed my girlfriend the trailer and she remarked, ‘They’ll think it’s Cillian’. I replied, ‘You’re being foolish’. I chose not to listen. Now, I’ve had to swallow a slice of humility since.

Initially, Murphy won’t make an appearance in the first movie, but his participation might extend beyond his current position as executive producer. Previously, McDonald stated to Empire that “On this project, he wanted to be involved and we wanted him to be involved too. He is not present in the first film, but I hope there will be some Jim character somewhere down the line. He’s currently an executive producer, and I hope we can collaborate with him in some capacity within the trilogy in the future.

This expansion of the “28 Days” universe aims for grandeur, delving into the lasting impacts of the rage virus through a series of connected movies.

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2025-01-11 03:40