The director (Danny Boyle) and writer (Alex Garland) behind 2002’s zombie horror hit 28 Days Later are set to join forces yet again for a long-awaited sequel, and we now have confirmation that it will actually be a trilogy of follow-up films.
Boyle is still set to helm the first part, but Deadline is now reporting that Sony Pictures had enlisted Nia DaCosta (The Marvels, the recent Candyman requel) to direct the middle instalment.
Garland will pen the script for all three movies, and the plan is to shoot the first two back-to-back, which is why the studio is moving quickly to secure a director.
Recent casting rumors claimed that Jodie Comer (Killing Eve, Free Guy) and Charlie Hunnam (Rebel Moon, The Gentlemen) are in talks to play the lead roles, but there's no mention of any potential cast members in the trade's report. If they do wind up signing on, they will likely star alongside recent Academy Award-winner Cillian Murphy, who has strongly hinted that he does intend to reprise his role as the original movie's protagonist, Jim.
28 Days Later was a massive success, and already spawned one less well-regarded (but still well worth watching) follow-up in 2007's 28 Weeks Later. Boyle and Garland were only involved as executive producers on that project, so a lot of fans are sure to view this new movie as the first true sequel.
The budget for each movie in the new trilogy is said to be in the $75 million range.
The first film starred Murphy as a man who wakes from a coma after a bicycle accident to find that England has been overrun by "The Infected." The virus turns its victims into raging killers, but unlike the usual "zombies," these creatures can move with frightening speed. Jim then sets out to learn what's been going on, meeting fellow survivors played by Naomie Harris and Brendan Gleeson along the way, as well as a deranged army major played by Christopher Eccleston.
Plot details for 28 Years Later are still under wraps, but the timeframe would suggest that it will take place in a near-future setting, which means the movie might lean more towards sci-fi than straight-up horror.
What do you make of this news? Are you excited for more 28 Days movies, or do you think too much time has passed? Check out the trailer for the original below, and be sure to share your thoughts in the usual place.