Danny Boyle and Alex Garland are teaming up again. That might sound like dream come true, but it’s actually something even better: a nightmare. We know because the last time they worked together was 2002’s 28 Days Later. That popular horror film’s influence is still being felt more than two decades later. Now it’s going to be felt even longer. That’s exactly what is bringing them back together. They’re making a sequel to their modern zombie classic. Only it might be more than just a single new entry in the franchise. It could launch a new trilogy.
The Cast of 28 Years Later
According to Variety, the cast of 28 Years Later is coming together. The publication reports that Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have joined the film. That’s a pretty star-studded opening play.
Danny Boyle and Alex Garland Re-Teaming for Sequel and Possible Trilogy
The Hollywood Reporter announced Boyle, who directed 28 Days Later, is making his long-awaited return to the franchise. Even better he is bringing the original film’s writer, Garland, with him. Boyle will direct a new film, 28 Years Later, which will move the story decades past the original entry starring Cillian Murphy.
Rather than just one film, though, THR says the duo has plans to launch a trilogy. Garland would write all three scripts, with the Academy Award-winning Boyle directing the first at least. Variety recently reported that Nia DaCosta is in talks to direct the second part of the trilogy. Garland and Boyle will begin shopping the project to studios soon. The pitch will include giving each film its own $75 million budget. That would pay for a whole lot of very fast reanimated corpses.
While this movie would mark the return of Boyle and Garland as a creative team, their zombie film did get a sequel with 2007’s 28 Weeks Later. However, they only served as executive producers on the movie. (Which, for the record, was still very good!) That’s what makes this news so exciting for fans, especially those who remember what a cultural phenomenon 28 Days Later was.
It still is. The modern zombie renaissance owes a lot to Boyle and Garland. With their renewed partnership it is likely going to owe them even more in the future.
Originally published on January 11, 2024.