Danny Boyle Confirms Third ’28 Years Later’ Movie Will Happen with Cillian Murphy

Few franchises have experienced as unusual a journey as the one that began with Danny Boyle’s ’28 Days Later’. It led to a 2007 sequel that did not involve Boyle or Alex Garland, but made a strong comeback last year with ’28 Years Later’, which debuted to $30 million on June 20 and amassed $151 million globally.

Boyle and Garland always planned for this new chapter to be a trilogy. Sony filmed the first two movies back to back, with Boyle directing the first and Nia DaCosta helming ’28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’, before moving forward with the third installment.

However, complications arose. ‘The Bone Temple’ was released in January to critical acclaim, becoming the best-reviewed film in the series, yet it only grossed around $58 million worldwide against a $63 million budget. This raised concerns about the future of the third film, prompting Boyle to share his thoughts on the sequel’s prospects.

While attending the Zurich Film Festival, where he showcased his upcoming Rupert Murdoch film ‘Ink’, Boyle told Variety that the third film will indeed be made due to persistent fan interest. He acknowledged uncertainty regarding the timeline but mentioned that there is “a very good script by Alex Garland.”

He also hinted at a significant role for Cillian Murphy, joking about whether the Oscar winner would still push his limits as he did in the original film. However, there are no updates yet on production timing or a final title.

Boyle’s remarks are significant given the silence surrounding the project. ‘The Bone Temple’ achieved a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, surpassing the 88% of its predecessor, but its box office performance was just over a third of the first film’s earnings.

DaCosta has publicly expressed pride in the film, suggesting it may have been released too early, with audiences feeling they had already seen it last summer. She noted that while critical reception was high, the box office results did not reflect that success.

Collider reported in February that ‘The Bone Temple’ fell out of the top 10 at the domestic box office, further deepening concerns about the trilogy’s conclusion.

The first trailer for ’28 YEARS LATER’ has been released.

In theaters on June 20, 2025. pic.twitter.com/6w5eTgTLQb

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) December 10, 2024

Before ‘The Bone Temple’ even premiered, Sony had already begun preparations for the third film. In December 2025, Deadline reported that the studio was moving forward after positive fan reactions to early screenings, with Garland writing and Murphy in discussions to reprise his role.

However, Sony has not issued an official confirmation since the sequel’s disappointing performance, and Boyle indicated last year that the studio’s budget decision would influence the timeline for the film’s development. This makes his recent comments more of a hopeful assurance from the filmmaker rather than a formal green light from the studio.

Murphy is crucial to the plan. He reprised his role as Jim, the protagonist of ’28 Days Later’, in ‘The Bone Temple’, marking his first return to the character since the original film, and he serves as an executive producer on both new installments.

Boyle has expressed a desire to direct the third film himself, and it appears promising that he will. The cast of the first film included notable names such as Alfie Williams, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Jack O’Connell, and Ralph Fiennes.

Fans have been eagerly searching for updates. Even an Instagram post featuring young star Alfie Williams back in archery training earlier this year did not fully alleviate concerns, as the film’s box office struggles threatened to halt the trilogy before its final chapter.

Boyle’s recent comments provide the most encouraging update in months. While they do not clarify the timeline, they confirm that the script is ready and that the director remains committed to concluding the story.

At the same festival, Boyle also discussed the ongoing James Bond casting rumors, suggesting that Jack O’Connell, who stars in his ‘Ink’, should be considered for the next 007, praising the actor’s talent.

Boyle previously left ‘No Time to Die’ reportedly due to creative differences, stating that the story he developed with John Hodge was lost when producers lost faith in it.

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