The 2002 horror movie 28 Days Later was followed by a sequel in 2007 titled 28 Weeks Later. It wouldn’t be until recently, however, that fans would finally see new films put into development. In fact, it’s just been revealed that 28 Years Later and its first sequel – 28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple – have already been shot.
28 Years Later was announced earlier this year as a revival of the franchise. It would be the first part of a trilogy with 28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple becoming the second installment. Original 28 Days Later director Danny Boyle, who did not return to direct 28 Weeks Later, returned to helm 28 Years Later while Candyman and The Marvels director Nia DaCosta took over for The Bone Temple.
It wasn’t until a recent interview with IndieWire, however, the actor Ralph Fiennes discussed his role in the new films that it was discovered the first two movies of this new trilogy have already been shot. Additionally, Fiennes shares some of the first details we’ve received so far regarding the plot of the new films.
Here’s what he shared on that front:
“It’s three films, of which two have been shot,” Fiennes begins.
“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.”
It’s exciting that we’re finally seeing not just one but three new sequels to 28 Days Later. While 28 Weeks Later has its fans, and it doesn’t seem like it’s being ignored, it certainly looks like these new films will be a proper return to the franchise’s roots. In fact, Cillian Murphy has even been reportedly set to reprise his role as Jim for the new trilogy.
As such, we’ll have to see when we’ll learn more about the first two installments that have already been shot. Likewise, we’ll probably have more details regarding the third installment in the near future. Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for more 28 Years Later updates as we have them.