It’s been a long time coming (18 years to be exact), but the first trailer for Danny Boyle’s upcoming post-apocalyptic sequel 28 Years Later – the third instalment in the film franchise – has finally arrived. The trailer has already amassed more than 8 million views on YouTube since its release on December 10.
The long-awaited film follows the events of 2002’s 28 Days Later and 2007’s 28 Weeks Later, where a highly contagious virus – known as the rage virus – has ravaged human life. Created with a modest budget and becoming a critical and commercial success, the first film – which starred Oppenheimer actor Cillian Murphy – popularised the fast-zombie horror subgenre.
The upcoming sequel will be directed by Boyle and written by Alex Garland (both created the 2002 film) and was filmed back-to-back with its sequel, 28 Days Later Part II: The Bone Temple.
Keep reading to discover everything we know (so far) about the upcoming additions to the franchise.
When is 28 Years Later going to be released and what took so long?
28 Years Later is set to be released on June 20, 2025, after a near-20-year gap in the series. Although the film’s development was announced shortly after the release of 28 Weeks Later in 2007, a number of delays plagued its creation, with Garland confirming to IGN in 2015 that the film had entered development hell.
After years of discussions, in January it was confirmed that 28 Years Later was officially in development, and that it would be part of a trilogy of sequels. The next instalment in the series is set to be directed by Nia DaCosta and is yet to have a release date.
What will the plot entail?
According to the official synopsis provided by Sony Pictures, 28 Years Later is a “terrifying new story” set three decades after the first film. Human beings still live in an enforced quarantine to control the virus, with one group living on a small island connected to the mainland by a “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,” the synopsis reads.
What are the rumours about Cillian Murphy returning?
Many have wondered if Cillian Murphy is set to return to the franchise, and judging by the response to the trailer, some believe the Peaky Blinders star may be making an appearance. In the 2002 movie, Murphy – who serves as an executive producer on the new instalment – starred as Jim, a bicycle courier who wakes up in hospital to discover that the UK has fallen into a zombie epidemic. He teams up with Naomie Harris (Selena) and Brendan Gleeson (Frank) in a fight to survive. Although he didn’t return for 28 Weeks Later, Murphy expressed interest in returning for the sequels in 2021 and 2022.
Murphy is not listed in the official cast, but fans believe they may have spotted Jim in the new trailer, albeit in zombie (or “infected”) form. The quick clip shows a zombie – which bears a resemblance to Murphy and his signature high cheekbones – rising in a field, with fans taking to social media to raise suspicion (and share memes) about his potential return. “Cillian Murphy is lauded for his method acting abilities but this is too much,” one X user said.
Poor Cillian Murphy 💀😭
— Say My Name (@Name__Error_404) December 10, 2024
28 Days Later vs 28 Years Later pic.twitter.com/DZFed2M9WB
Who else will be in the film?
While the rumour mill continues to spin regarding Murphy’s alleged appearance, the main cast of 28 Years Later was announced back in April. The film will star Jodie Comer (Killing Eve), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Kraven) and Ralph Fiennes (The Menu), and in June it was announced that Erin Kellyman – recent star of Steve McQueen’s Blitz – would be joining the cast.
