Sony has greenlit development on a third 28 Years Later film, and Cillian Murphy is in negotiations to rejoin the franchise, industry outlets reported on Dec. 10, 2025. Alex Garland, who wrote earlier installments, is scripting the project while Danny Boyle has indicated he would direct if the picture proceeds. The announcement follows the studio’s acquisition of the series rights in January 2024 and comes as the second film, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, ships toward a Jan. 16 release after early screenings drew strong responses.
Key Takeaways
- Sony is moving forward with a third entry in the 28 Years Later series; development was reported Dec. 10, 2025.
- Cillian Murphy is in talks to return to the franchise; he is expected to have only a small role in The Bone Temple.
- Alex Garland is writing the script for the third film; he also wrote the prior installments except 28 Weeks Later.
- Director Danny Boyle has said he would direct the third film should it be produced; the studio offered Boyle two films and they were shot back-to-back.
- The first 28 Years Later film opened in January and grossed $151.3 million at the global box office.
- Sony secured the rights to the 28 Years Later movies in January 2024 after a reported bidding war.
- 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta, is scheduled to arrive on Jan. 16 and had strong reactions at early screenings.
Background
The 28 Years Later franchise grew out of Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s early-2000s zombie-revival work, with Cillian Murphy first breaking through in 28 Days Later more than two decades ago. Sony acquired the current series rights in January 2024 after competing bids, signaling studio intent to build the property into a multi-film slate. Boyle initially sought a three-picture commitment, but the studio agreed to two films, which were shot consecutively to economize production and maintain creative continuity.
Alex Garland, who created the narrative world for the modern installments, has been central to the franchise’s voice, writing multiple entries. Nia DaCosta was brought in to direct the second of the two films shot back-to-back; her approach was publicly framed as distinct from Boyle’s, reflecting a desire to let each director imprint a unique style on the material. Cillian Murphy’s profile has risen considerably since his original franchise work, capped by an Academy Award for his role in 2023’s Oppenheimer.
Main Event
On Dec. 10, 2025, reports emerged that Sony is proceeding with a third 28 Years Later picture and that Murphy is negotiating to return as a cast member. Studio representatives did not provide an immediate comment to reporters, and terms of any deal—salary, shooting schedule or credit—have not been disclosed. The development follows the theatrical rollout of the first of the two films the studio financed and produced back-to-back; that opening entry has taken in $151.3 million worldwide to date.
Alex Garland has been tapped to write the new screenplay, reinforcing continuity with the franchise’s recent tone and mythology. Danny Boyle, who helmed the inaugural entry in this Sony-produced arc, has publicly said he would direct a third film if production moves forward. Sony’s rights acquisition in January 2024 gave the studio control of the property and set the stage for the two-film production plan Boyle proposed and executed.
Nia DaCosta’s The Bone Temple—directed as the second of the two films—arrives Jan. 16 and has reportedly elicited strong reactions from early test audiences and critics at initial screenings. Murphy is slated to appear in The Bone Temple in a limited capacity, a fact that could help market any subsequent chapter should negotiations conclude successfully. The timing of the announcement, coming shortly after positive early responses to Bone Temple, suggests the studio is assessing audience appetite before committing to a full production slate.
Analysis & Implications
If Murphy signs on, his participation would be commercially valuable: his profile and recent Oscar win broaden the franchise’s reach beyond horror-core viewers into awards-season and mainstream audiences. A confirmed return would likely strengthen pre-release marketing and could improve domestic and international box-office prospects for the third picture. Sony’s strategy of shooting two films back-to-back already reduced some production risk; a third film would depend on box office momentum and critical reception of the current pair.
On the creative side, Garland’s continued involvement keeps narrative continuity intact, but the choice of director will shape tone and public perception. Boyle’s prior statement that he would direct if the third film happens suggests a potentially auteur-driven route; conversely, the studio could opt for a different director to maintain variety, as with DaCosta’s distinct approach to The Bone Temple. The balance between creative ambition and commercial calculus will determine how the third film is positioned—either as a prestige continuation or a broader-appeal franchise entry.
International market considerations are also central. The original January release that grossed $151.3 million demonstrates solid global demand for the franchise’s blend of genre and social allegory. Sony’s rights acquisition and two-picture commitment indicate the studio is willing to invest, but future budget levels, distribution strategy and release windows will hinge on The Bone Temple’s Jan. 16 performance and early box-office tracking.
Comparison & Data
| Title | Release | Global Box Office | Key Talent |
|---|---|---|---|
| First 28 Years Later (Sony) | January | $151.3 million | Danny Boyle (dir.), Alex Garland (writer) |
| 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple | Arrives Jan. 16 | — (pre-release) | Nia DaCosta (dir.), Alex Garland (writer) |
| 28 Years Later III (development) | TBD | TBD | Alex Garland (writer), Cillian Murphy (in talks) |
The table places the three connected productions side-by-side to clarify timing, box-office performance and creative leadership. The first film’s $151.3 million haul is the clearest quantitative anchor for studio expectations; The Bone Temple’s Jan. 16 opening will be the immediate barometer for whether Sony pursues a fast-tracked third feature or takes a more cautious approach.
Reactions & Quotes
Industry response has been cautious optimism: the timing of the report—after early Bone Temple screenings—led insiders to interpret the news as Sony hedging on a franchise expansion based on audience reaction. Below are two succinct on-record remarks tied to the rollout and directorial approach.
“I remember her saying, ‘I’m not going to make a Danny Boyle movie,'”
Danny Boyle, on Nia DaCosta’s approach (as reported)
Boyle used the remark to underline that DaCosta made a distinct, personal film rather than pastiche. He also added that her work is strong on its own terms, a comment that industry observers took as both praise and as evidence of creative plurality within the franchise.
“She has made her own movie and it’s very strong,”
Danny Boyle, on DaCosta’s film (as reported)
That second brief comment has been cited in coverage as a sign of internal confidence in DaCosta’s direction while underscoring Boyle’s willingness to let new voices shape the series. Studio representatives have not issued a formal statement about Murphy’s negotiations or a production timetable for a third film.
Unconfirmed
- Cillian Murphy’s contract is not finalized; reports say he is “in talks” but no deal has been confirmed by Sony or Murphy’s representatives.
- It is not yet confirmed whether Danny Boyle will definitively direct the third film even though he has expressed willingness if the project materializes.
- There is no official production timeline, budget or release window announced for the third installment at this time.
Bottom Line
Sony’s reported movement on a third 28 Years Later film—coupled with Alex Garland’s involvement and Cillian Murphy potentially returning—keeps the franchise in play and gives the studio options depending on The Bone Temple’s reception. The first film’s $151.3 million box office establishes tangible commercial footing, but the studio appears to be calibrating next steps to audience and critical response ahead of a formal green light.
For audiences and industry watchers, the crucial near-term indicators are the Jan. 16 opening for The Bone Temple and whether Murphy’s negotiations conclude. If both align positively, Sony could accelerate production plans; if not, the studio may delay or reshape the third chapter. Either way, Garland’s scripting and Boyle’s expressed interest mean the franchise’s core creative DNA remains central to whatever comes next.