28 Years Later Is Now Closer To Release Than Ever Before

Summary:

• Danny Boyle made a splash in the zombie genre back in 2002 with the release of 28 Days Later
• There have been talks of a third movie since the sequel was released in 2007, but the project got stuck in development hell
• A new update suggests that the filmmaker is close to pitching the idea for 28 Years Later to buyers, with ambitious plans for the franchise

Throughout his long and prolific filmmaking career, Danny Boyle has given us an impressive number of brilliant cult classics, including but not limited to Trainspotting (1996), Slumdog Millionaire (2008), and 127 Hours (2010).

However, his take on zombie horror, 2002's 28 Days Later, holds a special place in the hearts of fans for how unique and groundbreaking it was, leaving a huge impact on many future installments in the genre.

Starring Cillian Murphy in what would prove to be a breakthrough role for the then-unknown actor, the movie was set in London, which had been devastated by a deadly outbreak that had occurred 28 days earlier, turning people into violent monsters.

28 Days Later Was A Breakthrough In The Zombie Genre

What made the movie different, however, was that the zombies were nothing like the "classic" shuffling undead, but rather fast and extremely aggressive creatures infected with a so-called "rage virus."

Another big change was that the victims lost their minds almost immediately after being bitten or coming into contact with the bodily fluids of the infected, which was in stark contrast to other zombie movies where the transformation is usually agonizingly slow, adding to the dramatic aspect of the moment.

Such seemingly minor details completely changed the entire experience of the story, raising the stakes and turning it into an adrenaline-fueled horror, while the well-acted characters and intense plot only solidified the film's success.

The movie popularized the concept of "fast zombies," and even more than a decade later, traces of its other elements and ideas can be found in countless other projects, sometimes even outside the horror genre.

A sequel titled 28 Weeks Later was released in 2007, directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo with Boyle as executive producer, and although it wasn't as great as its predecessor, it was also quite warmly received by critics and fans alike.

Third Movie Is Finally Close To Becoming A Reality

The release of a third film seemed inevitable, with Boyle mentioning later that year that the core of the story was already mapped out, but unfortunately the project got stuck in development hell.

Over the years, news of it has popped up here and there, making it clear that the filmmaker hadn't given up on the idea, but the new update suggests that the third film is not only a step away from going into production, but could also be the start of something bigger.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Boyle and Alex Garland, who wrote the original 2002 film, are ready to work on the project and will pitch it to potential buyers later this week.

The most interesting part is that 28 Years Later is apparently only part of the package, as the creators hope it will become the beginning of an entirely new trilogy, with Boyle directing the first installment and Garland writing the scripts for all three films.

Fans are cautiously optimistic about the news, as there have been some positive updates regarding the project in the past, but nothing came of it, so they are hoping that this time the filmmaker will actually follow through with his decision.

If the deal goes through, they will find out soon enough, so for now, fans are eagerly awaiting further official statements on the fate of the movie.

Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, Reddit