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28 Years Later: A Return to the Rage Virus

The post-apocalyptic universe of 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later is set to make a comeback nearly two decades since the last installment. Sony Pictures has unveiled a chilling trailer for the highly anticipated sequel, 28 Years Later, directed by the acclaimed Danny Boyle. This new chapter is expected to thrill long-time fans while introducing the horrifying legacy of the Rage Virus to a new audience.

Building on the legacy of the 2002 groundbreaking film 28 Days Later and its 2007 follow-up, 28 Years Later will finally disclose what has transpired in a world devastated by the outbreak of the Rage Virus, which led to a brutal takeover by the infected. With a gripping narrative co-written by Boyle and Alex Garland, the film features a talented ensemble cast, including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, Erin Kellyman, and Edvin Ryding. The release date is set for June 20, 2025—an event many horror enthusiasts eagerly await.

The official synopsis hints at a dark and intriguing story: “Academy Award®-winning director Danny Boyle and Academy Award®-nominated writer Alex Garland reunite for 28 Years Later, a terrifying new narrative set in the world created by 28 Days Later. It’s been almost three decades since the rage virus escaped from a biological weapons lab. In a tightly controlled quarantine, a group of survivors finds a way to coexist with the infected. Among them is a community on a small island connected to the mainland by a heavily fortified causeway. When one member ventures into the mainland, they discover secrets and horrors that have transformed both the infected and other survivors in shocking ways.”

A Sequel Already Shot: 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

The franchise began in earnest with 28 Days Later, which marked a significant shift in the zombie genre when it premiered in 2002. Directed by Danny Boyle and scripted by Alex Garland, the film features Cillian Murphy as a bicycle courier who wakes from a coma to find London ravaged by a deadly virus. The film received widespread acclaim and is credited with revitalizing the zombie narrative, leading to the creation of 28 Weeks Later, which followed the harrowing journey of a brother and sister trying to survive in a world stripped of humanity.

Looking ahead, 28 Years Later is poised to kick off a new trilogy. Notably, a follow-up titled 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple has already been completed, with Nia DaCosta—known for her work on Candyman and The Marvels—at the directorial helm. This sequel is expected to see the return of several characters, including, potentially, Cillian Murphy’s iconic survivor from the original film. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is projected to hit theaters in the United States on January 16, 2026, expanding upon the terrifying legacy of the franchise.

Source
movieweb.com