Most people agree that 28 Weeks Later was a bit of a flop compared to its predecessor, 2002's excellent team-up of Danny Boyle and Alex Garland that was 28 Days Later — the post-apocalyptic horror starring Cillian Murphy. The sequel arguably faltered due to a number of factors, namely Garland and Boyle's backseat roles, but also Murphy's absence. Zombie flick fans rejoice, because now it's starting to look more and more likely that the dream team are willing to revisit the franchise.
While on theBarbenheimer Oppenheimer press circuit, the acclaimed actor revealed in conversation with Collider that he's very interested in doing 28 Years Later (it's only been 20 years, but who's counting?) — on one condition.
"I was talking to Danny Boyle recently, and I said, 'Danny, we shot the movie at the end of 2000.' So I think we're definitely approaching the 28 Years Later," Murphy said. "But like I've always said, I'm up for it. I'd love to do it. If Alex [Garland] thinks there's a script in it and Danny wants to do it, I'd love to do it."
Garland and Boyle had already discussed the possibility of making 28 Months Later, but ultimately abandoned the idea. In 2019 they further hinted at the possibility, but it wasn't until recently, speaking with Inverse, that Garland shared his interest in bringing the rage back for Years, sharing that though he "resisted [making a sequel] for a long time because there were things about 28 Weeks that bugged me," he ultimately decided, "Fuck that. I'd rather try to write a different story in a different world."
He continued, "A few years ago an idea materialized in my head for what would be really 28 Years Later. Danny always liked the idea."
Boyle added, "[W]e're talking about it quite seriously, quite diligently. If he doesn't want to direct it himself I'll be well up for it if we can execute a similarly good idea."
Here's hoping they also get John Murphy back on to do the soundtrack; the original compositions were all bangers (some of which graced this writer's Myspace profile back in 2007), and Brian Eno and Godspeed You! Black Emperor's contributions didn't hurt either!
While on the
"I was talking to Danny Boyle recently, and I said, 'Danny, we shot the movie at the end of 2000.' So I think we're definitely approaching the 28 Years Later," Murphy said. "But like I've always said, I'm up for it. I'd love to do it. If Alex [Garland] thinks there's a script in it and Danny wants to do it, I'd love to do it."
Garland and Boyle had already discussed the possibility of making 28 Months Later, but ultimately abandoned the idea. In 2019 they further hinted at the possibility, but it wasn't until recently, speaking with Inverse, that Garland shared his interest in bringing the rage back for Years, sharing that though he "resisted [making a sequel] for a long time because there were things about 28 Weeks that bugged me," he ultimately decided, "Fuck that. I'd rather try to write a different story in a different world."
He continued, "A few years ago an idea materialized in my head for what would be really 28 Years Later. Danny always liked the idea."
Boyle added, "[W]e're talking about it quite seriously, quite diligently. If he doesn't want to direct it himself I'll be well up for it if we can execute a similarly good idea."
Here's hoping they also get John Murphy back on to do the soundtrack; the original compositions were all bangers (some of which graced this writer's Myspace profile back in 2007), and Brian Eno and Godspeed You! Black Emperor's contributions didn't hurt either!
