Third 28 Years Later Film Confirmed with Cillian Murphy Returning
Following stellar reviews for The Bone Temple, Sony officially greenlights the trilogy's final installment. Murphy negotiates comeback while Garland returns as screenwriter for the zombie franchise conclusion.
Sony has officially given the green light to a third installment in the zombie franchise following overwhelmingly positive early reviews for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. The studio is currently in negotiations with Cillian Murphy to reprise his iconic role, while Alex Garland has been confirmed to write the screenplay for the trilogy's conclusion.
Production Details Still Under Wraps
While the third film has received official approval, key details remain undetermined. Neither the final title nor the director has been announced yet. The studio had always envisioned a three-part series but chose to film the initial two entries simultaneously before committing to the final chapter.
Danny Boyle directed the first entry in the new trilogy, while Nia DaCosta stepped in to helm The Bone Temple. Boyle has expressed enthusiasm about potentially returning to direct the concluding film.
Box Office Success Drives Decision
The decision to proceed with a third film comes as no surprise given the franchise's commercial performance. The first new entry achieved one of 2024's largest horror debuts, earning more than $150 million worldwide following its June release. Critics have been equally supportive, with the film maintaining an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Early screenings of The Bone Temple have generated similarly enthusiastic responses from industry insiders, with some calling it "one of the greatest horror movies of the decade" and praising it as "nastier and – surprisingly – funnier than the first part."
Cast Returns for Sequel
The Bone Temple will feature Ralph Fiennes and Jack O'Connell returning as Dr. Ian Kelson and Jimmy Crystal, respectively, reprising their roles from the previous film. Alfie Williams joins the cast as Spike, a new addition to Jimmy's cult following. Murphy makes a brief appearance as Jim, the bicycle messenger who survived the original Rage Virus outbreak in 2002's 28 Days Later, setting up his expanded role in the upcoming third installment.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is scheduled to hit theaters on January 16.