Ralph Fiennes has ventured to promise an even darker and more brutal sequel to "28 Years Later," titled "The Bone Temple," set to captivate audiences the following year. The esteemed "Harry Potter" actor donned the role of Doctor Ian Kelson, a character as wildly eccentric as he is compassionate and benevolent, residing amidst the mainland's infected populace.
Despite the omnipresent peril of contamination, Kelson tirelessly collects the bones of virus victims, constructing majestic shrines of skulls and bones as a poignant tribute to their lost lives, foreshadowing the forthcoming sequel. "He possesses a certain warmth," Fiennes revealed to Entertainment Weekly. "He is genuinely delighted to encounter those untouched by the infection."
When pressed for further details about the sequel, Fiennes remarked, "Obviously, I cannot disclose too much." Nevertheless, he recounted a memorable scene featuring Isla (played by Jodie Comer), who assists a pregnant, infected woman through childbirth in an abandoned train. "The themes explored in that scene—labor, humanity, and the pivotal bond between mother and child—are crucial," Fiennes elaborated. "The ultimate embodiment of humanity is witnessed in an infected woman giving birth to an uninfected child."
Fiennes further expanded on his interpretation of the scene, saying, "The question lingers: Is the essence of humanity still vibrant within the soul, heart, and mind of an infected individual? Have they been utterly corrupted? Are they mere beasts? Or does the possibility of something—something human—still linger?"
"The Bone Temple" was filmed alongside "28 Years Later," albeit under the direction of Nia DaCosta, rather than Danny Boyle. Boyle has also confirmed that "28 Days Later" star Cillian Murphy will reprise his role as Jim. While the plot of the upcoming sequel remains shrouded in mystery, audiences can anticipate its release on January 16, 2026.
