On Wednesday evening, London's Leicester Square transformed into a forbidden territory as the cast and crew of Danny Boyle's highly anticipated zombie sequel, 28 Years Later, descended upon the Odeon Luxe cinema, enveloped in an atmosphere of biohazard warnings that greeted fans and guests alike. The central London venue was immersed in a gory spectacle, with blood-stained carpets serving as the backdrop for interviews with the film's stars, including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, and the promising newcomer Alfie Williams, alongside director Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland.
Nearly three decades have passed since the rage virus escaped from a biological weapons lab, leaving a world still locked in a ruthless quarantine. In this dystopian landscape, a small community, nestled off the coast of Northumbria in Britain, clings to existence via a solitary, heavily fortified causeway linking them to the mainland. Amidst this infected wasteland, Jamie (Taylor-Johnson), a rugged individualist, has raised his resilient 12-year-old son, Spike (Williams), instilling in him the courage to strike down an infected with an arrow if necessary. But when Spike discovers the possibility of a savior beyond their isolated island who might cure his ailing mother (Comer), he embarks on a perilous journey to find them.
"Since 23 years have elapsed, we felt we could take bold risks with this film," Boyle revealed to The Hollywood Reporter on the red carpet. "Our aspiration was to craft a movie as original as the first one when it debuted. Filming and witnessing the upgrades in the infected was a privilege. I believe audiences will appreciate these enhancements," he smiled confidently.
Comer confessed to THR her astonishment at how deeply the zombie thriller moved her. "It's horror, yet I was captivated by the emotion it evoked. The script was so rich, and at its core lies a compelling family dynamic—a mother-son relationship unlike any other," she shared. "Working under Danny's direction was mesmerizing. Selfishly, collaborating with Danny Boyle was a dream come true. I'll never be part of a film like this again; it's been an extraordinary experience," she gushed, heaping praise on young Williams.
Williams spoke of Boyle's creative genius, describing him as "unique, experimental, and incredibly kind." On receiving mentorship from seasoned actors like Comer, Taylor-Johnson, and Fiennes, the young actor said, "It wasn't specific advice. I just observed them, adopted their mannerisms, and learned from their techniques and energy before my scenes."
Produced by Columbia Pictures, 28 Years Later serves as a sequel to Cillian Murphy-starring 28 Days Later (2002) and 28 Weeks Later (2007). The next chapter, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta, is scheduled for release in 2026, with Murphy reprising his role as Jim, a survivor of the initial outbreak. Murphy also serves as an executive producer for both films.
Boyle emphasized that the fate of a third film in the trilogy hinges on 28 Years Later's financial performance. "The third film really depends on how well this one does," he stated. "It's quintessentially British—cast, crew, and locations alike. How it resonates internationally will influence our funding for the third installment."
Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group CEO Tom Rothman echoed Boyle's sentiments with pride. "The audience will decide. I won't even have to make that call," he said about the potential third film. "I'm very optimistic. We've already greenlit the next one, which is unusual. We have high confidence in the team behind this movie."
This marks Rothman and Boyle's ninth collaboration. When asked about how the director, renowned for 1996's Trainspotting, has evolved over the years, Rothman quipped, "That's a brilliant question. He hasn't changed a bit. I've aged, but he remains youthful and enthusiastic. He's still breaking the mold and as dynamic as ever."
At the premiere, THR briefly caught up with Ralph Fiennes, who expressed his excitement about portraying President Snow, a role previously essayed by the late Donald Sutherland, in the upcoming adaptation of Suzanne Collins' novel, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. "I'm thrilled," Fiennes said. "I'm a fan of Donald Sutherland, but I won't try to be him; no one can. However, I aim to capture the complexity of the character he created. I hope to echo that psychological depth in some way."
