‘It feels like a good time’: Filmmaker Danny Boyle announces ’28 Months Later’ is scripted and he’s ‘very tempted’ to direct
Danny Boyle has announced that the highly anticipated 28 Months Later has been scripted and would like to direct.
The 66-year-old filmmaker delighted horror fans with 28 Days Later, which follows the character of Jim (Cillian Murphy) as he wakes from a coma in an abandoned Britain ravaged by a zombie virus.
Speaking to NME on the film’s 20th anniversary, Danny shared how screenwriter Alex Garland has finalized a script for the third film, and the director hopes it will come to fruition.
Franchise: Danny Boyle has announced that a script has been written for the highly anticipated 28 Months Later and he would like to direct
He said: “I would be very tempted [to direct it]. It really feels like a very good time.
“It’s funny, I hadn’t thought about it until you just said it, and I remembered, ‘Bang that script!’ set in England again, very much about England. Anyway, we’ll see… who knows?”
The original film, released in 2002, was followed by 28 Weeks Later in 2007, in which a US-led NATO force attempted to create a safe zone in London.
Danny shared how the popularity of streaming has made it harder for films to get a theatrical release, which has put him off making another film.
Sequel: The 66-year-old filmmaker (pictured) delighted horror fans with 28 Days Later, which follows the character of Jim (Cillian Murphy) who wakes from a coma in a deserted Britain ravaged by a zombie virus
He said: “It could come back into focus because one of the things that’s happening in business at the moment is that going to the cinema has to be a big reason for you because there are fewer and fewer reasons.
“It’s difficult for companies that distribute films and for cinema chains to show films, they struggle to get people into theaters unless it’s something like Top Gun: Maverick or a Marvel.
Danny hinted at the franchise’s future back in 2019 when he revealed he was impressed by the script for the third film.
Success: The original film, released in 2002, was followed by 28 Weeks Later (pictured) in 2007, in which a NATO force attempted to establish a security zone in London
He told The Independent: “It’s really good. The original film led to some resurgence in zombie drama and doesn’t reference any of it. It doesn’t feel stale at all.”
The original film – which also starred Naomie Harris and Brendan Gleeson – grossed $85.7 million on a budget of $8 million.
The sequel – starring Robert Carlyle, Idris Elba and Rose Byrne – grossed $65.8 million on a budget of $15 million.
Classic: The original film – which also starred Naomie Harris and Brendan Gleeson – grossed $85.7 million on a budget of $8 million