Lead: Sony Pictures has decided to move ahead with a third film in the 28 Years Later cycle after early screenings of the most recent installment, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, drew positive fan responses, according to people familiar with the project. Series screenwriter Alex Garland is writing the script, and Cillian Murphy is reported to be in talks to reprise Jim, the protagonist he first played in 2001’s 28 Days Later. The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta, opens in theaters on Jan. 16 and strong early reactions gave Sony the confidence to greenlight a final chapter.
Key Takeaways
- Sony has greenlit development of a third film in the 28 Years Later sequence after positive early audience reactions to 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.
- Alex Garland, who co-wrote the recent entries, is writing the script for the third installment.
- Cillian Murphy is reportedly in negotiations to return as Jim; no formal casting announcement has been issued.
- The Bone Temple is directed by Nia DaCosta and opens in theaters on Jan. 16, with early screenings said to have performed well.
- The returning 28 Years Later (first of the new entries) opened to $30 million on June 20 and has totaled $151 million worldwide to date.
- The original 2001 film 28 Days Later grossed over $72 million worldwide on a reported $8 million budget, establishing the franchise’s early influence.
- Sony produced the two back-to-back films in this new phase after Garland and Danny Boyle returned to the property to write and direct.
Background
The franchise began with Danny Boyle’s 2001 feature 28 Days Later, a low-budget horror film that became widely influential and earned more than $72 million globally from a reported $8 million production budget. The film’s stark aesthetic and rapid‑onset contagion premise reshaped mainstream zombie horror and established Jim (Cillian Murphy) as the franchise’s defining protagonist.
Fox Atomic released a sequel, 28 Weeks Later, in 2007 with an entirely new cast; neither Boyle nor Garland were involved with that installment. The property lay dormant in terms of the original creative team until Garland and Boyle reunited earlier this year to develop 28 Years Later as the first part of a new trilogy. Sony produced the first two of those new entries back to back.
Main Event
Sony’s recent decision to proceed with a third film follows early public screenings of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple that reportedly generated strong fan enthusiasm. Industry sources told trade outlets that those reactions were a material factor in Sony’s move to greenlight development for a concluding chapter to the current trilogy.
Alex Garland, who co-wrote the return to the franchise and the subsequent Bone Temple, is credited as the writer for the planned third film. Garland’s continued involvement signals the production’s desire to maintain creative continuity with the two new entries that have reunited him with Boyle.
Cillian Murphy — who originated the role of Jim in 2001 — is said to be in talks to reappear for the third film. If confirmed, this would mark Murphy’s first return to the character since the original movie; he has a reported, limited presence in The Bone Temple following the new-cast ensemble led by Alfie Williams, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Jack O’Connell and Ralph Fiennes.
While Danny Boyle has previously expressed interest in directing another entry, no public confirmation has been made that he will helm the third installment. Sony’s internal timetable, production partners and formal director assignment have not been announced as of this report.
Analysis & Implications
The decision to pursue a third chapter reflects both creative and commercial calculations. Commercially, the new 28 Years Later entry opened to $30 million on June 20 and has accrued $151 million worldwide, signaling robust audience demand that improves the financial case for a trilogy completion. Studios commonly leverage such momentum to secure franchise conclusions that maximize theatrical windows and ancillary revenue.
On the creative side, Garland’s continued authorship preserves an auteurial through-line that distinguishes this revival from the 2007 sequel, which lacked the original writers and director. Maintaining Garland’s voice could help the series retain critical credibility while satisfying long-term fans who welcomed Boyle and Garland’s return to the material.
Murphy’s potential return carries both narrative and marketing value. As the protagonist of the franchise’s origin story, Jim’s reappearance can tie thematic and emotional arcs across three films, deepening continuity and offering a clear headline for promotional campaigns. However, contract negotiations and scheduling could complicate casting certainty.
Internationally, a completed trilogy could reinforce the franchise’s global box office appeal and bolster Sony’s genre slate. Horror properties with established brands remain attractive for streaming and licensing, so finishing the trilogy may deliver downstream value beyond theatrical receipts.
Comparison & Data
| Title | Notable Box Office / Dates | Production Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Days Later (2001) | Over $72M worldwide; reported $8M budget | Directed by Danny Boyle; established franchise protagonist Jim |
| 28 Weeks Later (2007) | — (different cast; original team not involved) | Released by Fox Atomic with new cast; Boyle/Garland absent |
| 28 Years Later (2025) | Opened $30M (June 20); $151M cumulative worldwide | Garland & Boyle returned to write/direct; Sony produced |
| 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026) | Releases Jan. 16; early screenings reported positive | Directed by Nia DaCosta; reported to have encouraged Sony to greenlight a third film |
The table summarizes verified financial and production details preserved from reporting. It omits unverified box office figures and avoids estimating grosses for films not yet fully reported.
Reactions & Quotes
Trades and industry sources framed Sony’s move as a response to audience response rather than a unilateral studio decision made in isolation. Below are concise cited excerpts from coverage and reporting context.
“positive fan reactions”
Sources familiar with the development (reported)
“in talks to reprise his role”
Industry reporting on Cillian Murphy’s status
“envisioned ’28 Years’ as a trilogy”
Reporting on Garland and Boyle’s creative plan
Unconfirmed
- Cillian Murphy’s return is reported but not contractually confirmed; negotiations could still fail or change terms.
- Danny Boyle’s role as director of the third film remains unconfirmed despite prior public interest; no official director attachment has been announced.
- Final casting for the third installment has not been made public; which supporting cast members will return is unresolved.
- No official release date or production schedule for the third film has been disclosed.
Bottom Line
Sony’s reported decision to advance a third 28 Years Later film reflects both the commercial success of the revived series and a deliberate effort to preserve the creative team that galvanized fan interest. Alex Garland’s continued authorship and the possible return of Cillian Murphy offer clear continuity that can satisfy long-term fans while supporting strong box office prospects.
Key uncertainties remain: Murphy’s participation and Boyle’s potential return as director are not confirmed, and Sony has not disclosed a production timeline. If those elements fall into place, finishing the trilogy could deliver a coherent creative conclusion and significant downstream revenue for the franchise; if not, the studio may need to adjust its approach to casting or creative leadership.
Sources
- Variety — industry trade reporting on production status and creative roles
- Deadline — industry trade (first reported the development)
- Box Office Mojo — box office database (reference for historical grosses)