Nia DaCosta, fresh off her directorial role inThe Marvels, will take the helm of a new film in the28 Years Latertrilogy. DaCosta’s newest venture marks a significant shift, moving from superhero saga to a horror franchise revered for its intense narrative and gritty realism.
According toDeadline, Sony Pictures is currently in talks with DaCosta to direct the second installment of the horror trilogy. This strategic move by Sony suggests they are preparing for a seamless transition between films, with plans to shoot the sequel simultaneously with the first film in the series. The plan shows Sony’s commitment to the28 Years Laterfranchise, ensuring continuity and a swift production schedule.
The sequel will reconnect audiences with the harrowing world of survival and dread that defined the original28 Days Later, directed by Danny Boyle. Boyle is not only set to direct the first film of the new trilogy but will also serve as a producer for the sequel. Cillian Murphy, whose performance in the original was critically acclaimed,will return, this time adding his expertise as an executive producer.
28 Days Later
Writer Alex Garland Draws Inspiration from Unexpected Source for 28 Years Later
Alex Garland, who penned28 Days Later, is slated to write the scripts for all three films in the trilogy. This decision will likely preserve the thematic and narrative depth that fans expect from the series.
Intriguingly, Garland has credited the filmKesas a significant influence for28 Years Later. This open acknowledgment shows Garland’s admiration for the cinematic works that have shaped his own creative vision, demonstrating his readiness to honor those influences in his filmmaking. Garland stated:
“In the film scripts I delivered to Danny [Boyle], what I did was ripped off this film called Kes. Very unexpected thing to rip off in a zombie movie. I think the script I delivered and Kes both focused around the experience of a young lad to the extent it’s tonal. Those are the most obvious ways, but there are some slightly more subtle things to do with landscape as well. And sort of, humans and nature.”
How 28 Days Later Held Audiences Captive with Its Apocalyptic Vision
The original28 Days Laterfilm, released in 2002, presented a chilling narrative of societal collapse through the eyes of Jim, a bicycle courier portrayed by Cillian Murphy, who awakens from a coma into a world ravaged by a virulent contagion. The film’s haunting portrayal of an apocalyptic virus struck a resonant chord with audiences, garnering $84 million against an $8 million budget and achieving a renaissance of interest during theCOVID-19 pandemic.
How 28 Days Later Brought Zombie Movies Back to Life
28 Days Later was a groundbreaking horror film from 2002 that brought a tired and limping genre back to life.
28 Weeks Later, the 2007 sequel, continued this harrowing exploration of viral devastation with new characters, including performances by Robert Carlyle and Jeremy Renner, and similarly received both critical and commercial success.
Despite the initial film’s accomplishments and the sequel’s strong follow-through, the planned third installment faced numerous hurdles, delaying its realization until recently, when Sony finally greenlit the project, securing the rights to what promises to be a gripping continuation of this post-apocalyptic narrative.
