Danny Boyle Says Next ‘28 Years Later’ Movie Is Written for Cillian Murphy, but ‘We’ve Got to Raise the Money’

Danny Boyle is set to continue the "28 Years Later" trilogy, but he emphasizes that securing financing is crucial for the project's progress. After receiving positive reviews for his previous work, Boyle speaks during an audience talk-back for his upcoming film "Ink," which tells the story of Rupert Murdoch’s rise to power with the British tabloid The Sun.

When asked about the chances of completing "28 Years Later," Boyle states that while the script by Alex Garland is "fantastic," the project still lacks funding. The first installment, released in summer 2025, earned $151 million against a $60 million budget. However, the second film, "The Bone Temple," fared poorly at the box office, grossing only $58.5 million worldwide after receiving an even higher Rotten Tomatoes score than "28 Days Later."

Boyle had initially planned to film the trilogy back-to-back, with Nia DaCosta directing the second installment. Despite plans being greenlit by Sony last December, the poor performance of "The Bone Temple" has left the future of the trilogy uncertain. If Boyle manages to raise the necessary funds, the third installment will feature Academy Award winner Cillian Murphy reprising his role as Jim, the protagonist from "28 Days Later."

In the final moments of "The Bone Temple," Jim is shown tutoring his daughter as they encounter the "28 Years Later" heroes, Spike and Kellie, who are pursued by infected runners and seek their help. Boyle describes this as a "full circle" moment for both Jim and Spike, concluding their story in a "beautiful, mathematically perfect way."

Boyle's next film, "Ink," will be released in select U.S. theaters by Netflix on Dec. 11, followed by a streaming release on Jan. 8.