Courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing
Originally created by Danny Boyle and Alex Garland, 28 Days Later changed the game of the zombie genre (even though I maintain the infected are NOT zombies). Four films later, and the franchise remains considerably popular. Reactions have already been quite positive for Nia DaCosta’s 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, arriving early next year. Another sequel has been rumored for a while now, and today, we have learned the end is not nigh. That’s because Sony is officially moving forward with 28 Years Later III!
The news comes from Deadline, who also report that 28 Days Later star Cillian Murphy is in talks to star in the film! Franchise scribe Alex Garland will write the script. Danny Boyle has not yet been confirmed to return as director, though he has expressed interest.
Courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing
For the uninitiated, 28 Days Later premiered in 2002 (2003 in the U.S.) and became a massive box-office success. It follows Cillian Murphy as a man who wakes up from a coma in the UK, only to discover that the country has been overrun by people infected with a rage virus. Fast-moving and vicious as hell, the red-eyed infected are absolutely terrifying. So much so that they inspired plenty of zombie films that came out after to include the running undead.
The other films in the franchise, 28 Weeks Later and 28 Years Later, have found similar success. 28 Years Later marked the return of Boyle and Garland to the franchise, with a much larger budget. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple was shot back-to-back with the most recent sequel. It appears the reception has been so positive that Sony now feels confident enough to green-light the next one.
Dread’s own Matthew Jackson shared some words on The Bone Temple that should have fans of the franchise giddy.
We’ll keep our fingers crossed for Boyle and/or Murphy to return.
Until then, don’t miss The Bone Temple when it hits theaters on January 16th, 2026, from Sony Pictures Releasing. And stay tuned to Dread for more details about 28 Years Later III as we learn them.
Categorized: News
