MOVIE NEWS – The wait is almost over for 28 Years Later, but fans eager to see Cillian Murphy back this summer will have to hold out a bit longer. While the original star will appear in Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s new trilogy, Murphy’s highly anticipated comeback won’t happen until the 2026 sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, when he finally reclaims his place in the horror-thriller saga.

In a recent IGN interview, Danny Boyle discussed what’s ahead for the 28 Years Later trilogy, which continues in 2026 with The Bone Temple. The film, directed by Nia DaCosta, marks Cillian Murphy’s official return as Jim. “He is in the second one. I shouldn’t give away too much. I’ll get killed,” Boyle teased. Fresh off his Oscar win, Murphy is also set to play a role in the planned third installment, which Sony Pictures has not yet approved. Boyle explained that all three films are closely connected, with Murphy also waiting on the green light for the final chapter:

“There’s a coda… well, it’s more of an epilogue, or a final theme at the end of the first [28 Years Later] film, that passes the baton to the second. Although every story is self-contained, there’s a handover sequence that leads directly into the next movie. It’s hugely ambitious. We don’t have funding for the third one yet—its fate depends on how the first does. But if things go well, hopefully, we’ll get the money for the third. Everyone’s standing by — including Cillian.”

While Sony is holding back approval for a third film, critics are already abuzz about the sequel, having caught an early glimpse of the first 28 minutes. Critics were thrown straight into the film’s brutal, artful world, filled with new characters and plenty of tension. It’s too early to know if 28 Years Later can meet the sky-high expectations, but anticipation is at a fever pitch, especially since fans know the next chapter is coming as early as 2026.

Big Changes Behind the Camera for 28 Years Later

Just like the original, 28 Years Later takes a unique approach to visual storytelling in its post-apocalyptic zombie world. This time, though, Danny Boyle used the iPhone 15 Pro Max, pushing a wide-aspect ratio to keep viewers scanning the screen for lurking threats. Boyle explained: “We used a very widescreen format this time. We wanted to recreate the tension, velocity, and visceral edge of the original. When you watch in widescreen, zombies could be anywhere—you’re constantly looking for them.”

Shooting on iPhones allowed the crew to experiment in ways not possible with standard cameras, including a custom-built rig that held up to twenty phones for a single shot. Boyle described the result as a “wonderful shot” he’s sure audiences will spot instantly.
“There was a rig for eight cameras, one for ten, and one for twenty. I never say this, but there’s an incredible sequence in the second half of the film using the twenty-camera rig—you’ll know it when you see it. It’s pretty graphic, but it’s a spectacular moment that throws you into a whole new world.”

Source: IGN