Prepare to dive back into Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s harrowing zombie apocalypse with the first trailer for 28 Years Later. The third film in the iconic franchise sees Boyle and Garland return to their original roles as director and writer, after stepping back to executive producer roles for the 2007 sequel, 28 Weeks Later.
This time, the spotlight is on franchise newcomers Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes, as they navigate a world overrun by infected humans. However, the trailer has sparked a wave of speculation among fans regarding the absence of original star Cillian Murphy, who played Jim in the 2002 film. Although Murphy is not credited in the cast list, a brief shot of a gaunt zombie has many questioning if he’s making a surprise return. One fan on X passionately stated, “For everyone assuming Jim is dead in the story, HE’S NOT.” Columbia Pictures has yet to address the rumours.
What’s New in 28 Years Later?
The story is set nearly three decades after the rage virus outbreak, with the world still trapped under a relentless quarantine. A group of survivors has found refuge on an isolated island, linked to the mainland by a single, heavily guarded causeway. When one of the group embarks on a mission into the mainland, they uncover horrifying secrets, including mutations in both the infected and the remaining humans.
This film also serves as the beginning of a new trilogy for the franchise, with the second instalment, 28 Years Later II: The Bone Temple, already filmed and directed by Nia DaCosta.
Staying true to the franchise’s gritty and immersive aesthetic, cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle filmed 28 Years Later entirely on an iPhone 15 Pro Max. Produced by Andrew MacDonald, Peter Rice, Boyle, and Garland, the film is a collaboration between Columbia Pictures, BFI, DNA Films, and Decibel Films.
Fans have been buzzing with excitement and curiosity since the trailer’s release. One user speculated about Murphy’s potential involvement, asking, “Did he actually starve himself for this role, or is this insane makeup and CGI?” Another declared their excitement, adding, “Cannot wait.”
28 Years Later will premiere in cinemas on 20 June 2025.