28 Years Later (2025)

Last updated on July 1st, 2025 at 04:50 am

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

It’s been almost three decades since the rage virus escaped a biological weapons laboratory, and now, still in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amidst the infected. One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily-defended causeway. When one of the group leaves the island on a mission into the dark heart of the mainland, he discovers secrets, wonders, and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors as well.

Co-writer/director Danny Boyle spoke about this movie and the next in a recent interview and how they will connect, saying: “Well, it’s three films, a trilogy of films which have connecting characters. He will run right way through the films. We’ve shot the first two back-to-back, and that was for logistical reasons, actor availability reasons, and for story reasons as well. They’re literally continuous.” Adding… “There’s a coda… it’s not a coda, it’s the epilogue or an end theme at the end of the first film [28 Years Later] that gives you a handover to the second film. Although each story completes itself, there’s a handover section to the next film as well. So it’s very ambitious. We haven’t got the money for the third one yet. It will depend how the first one does, I guess. But hopefully if we do ok, they’ll give us the go-ahead for the money and for the third one. Everybody’s standing by for that, really. Including Cillian.”

On the topic of Cillian Murphy, Boyle confirms the actor’s return to the movies, saying: “He is in the second one. I shouldn’t give away too much. I’ll get killed.” He continues… “You know that thing about sequels, you want to push it on and take huge risks. I have to say fair play to [studio Sony Pictures]. They did allow us to take great liberties with [28 Years Later]. They could have said, ‘Oh no, it needs to be more sequel-y. You need to rely on some of the ideas that are in the original. And what do you mean Cillian’s not going to appear in the first one? I thought you said Cillian was going to be in it.’ We said, ‘Yeah, Cillian is going to be in it, but not quite the first one.’ So fair play to them. They’ve put up with a lot.”

Lastly, on whether the director would return to helm a third installment he was quoted saying: “I would love to, yes. God willing, etc., your health maintaining and all that kind of stuff. But also it depends how the first film does. You might not want me to. You never know. You’ve got to realize that there are plenty of alternatives.” (6/3/25)

One of the film’s producers revealed that Cillian Murphy will not appear in this first installment of the new trilogy, but may in the future. Here’s what was said: “[On] this, we wanted him to be involved and he wanted to be involved. He is not in the first film, but I’m hoping there will be some Jim somewhere along the line. He’s involved at the moment as an executive producer, and I would hope we can work with him in some way in the future in the trilogy.” (1/9/25)

Actor Ralph Fiennes had a recent interview where he revealed that this movie and the next one have both been shot and also offered some story details, saying: “Britain is 28 years into this terrible plague of infected people who are violent, rabid humans with a few pockets of uninfected communities. And it centers on a young boy who wants to find a doctor to help his dying mother. He leads his mother through this beautiful northern English terrain. But of course, around them hiding in forests and hills and woods are the infected. But he finds a doctor who is a man we might think is going to be weird and odd, but actually is a force for good.” (10/25/24)

Filming is reportedly underway and “taking place across the northeast of England with The BBC reporting that film crews have been seen all over the area including Newcastle, Kielder Forest and a large contingent on Holy Island for the past three weeks.” Filming is expected to continue throughout the Summer. Adding that “Hundreds of people from the island have responded to a call for extras to play a hoard of rage-filled ‘zombies’ in crowd scenes being shot there.” (5/27/24)

Fans will be pleased to hear that one of the film’s producers has confirmed that Cillian Murphy is officially back, saying: “Yes, but in a surprising way and in a way that grows, let me put it that way.” (5/17/24)

Jack O’Connell has joined the cast and is said to be playing “more of a supporting character in first film and more of a lead role in second.” (5/7/24)

Ralph Fiennes (The King’s Man, The Menu) has officially joined the cast, along with Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Kick Ass, The King’s Man, Bullet Train, Kraven the Hunter) and Jodie Comer (Killing Eve, Free Guy, The Last Duel). (4/24/24)

Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy) and Ralph Fiennes (The King’s Man, The Menu) are reportedly in talks to star in the film. At the moment none of the cast have been officially confirmed, so you can treat it all as a rumor until something official has been revealed. (4/9/24)

Jodie Comer (Killing Eve, Free Guy, The Last Duel) is rumored to be starring in the movie, according to Hollywood insider Daniel Richtman. Filming is still aimed to begin next month. (4/4/24)

Sony has won the bidding war and will distribute the film theatrically. Cillian Murphy is back as executive producer and may have a role in the film, but things are kept quiet for now. Alex Garland and Danny Boyle scripts, with Danny directing. A sequel to this film is also part of the deal with Sony, with Alex Garland writing, but Danny won’t be directing that one, so a director will be sought after at a later time. Each sequel is budgeted in the $60-million range. The deal was originally pitched as a potential new trilogy, but so far only two films have been officially announced, so a third entry may be dependent on the success of the films. (1/31/24)

This project is officially back from the dead and now in development as a possible new trilogy of films. Previous director Danny Boyle returns to helm, with Alex Garland also back as writer. At the moment Danny is only directing the first installment in the potential trilogy, while Alex will be writing all three films, which are budgeted at an estimated $75-million each. This project is reportedly going out to “studios, streamers and other potential buyers” later this week. (1/10/24)

Previously known as 28 Months Later.

This third entry has been talked about off and on since the release of 28 Weeks Later back in 2007.

This film follows 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later and is said to be the first in a new trilogy.

Columbia Pictures released 28 Years Later in Cinemas in the Philippines on June 18, 2025.

Sony Pictures released 28 Years Later in Cinemas in Puerto Rico on June 19, 2025.

Sony Pictures released 28 Years Later in Cinemas in India on June 20, 2025.

Sony Pictures Releasing released 28 Years Later in Theatres in the United Kingdom, United States and Canada on June 20, 2025.

IMDb

Director: Danny Boyle