Cillian Murphy Greenlights ’28 Years Later’ Sequel with Sony

In exciting news for fans of the iconic zombie flick 28 Days Later, a highly anticipated sequel titled 28 Years Later has officially been given the green light by Sony. The rights to the two-part film were secured by Sony in a competitive bidding war. Renowned director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland, the original creators, are back on board, with Boyle set to direct Part One and Garland penning the script. The director for Part Two will be decided at a later stage.

Cillian Murphy, who played a pivotal role in the 2003 film, is confirmed to serve as an executive producer for the sequel. While there is speculation about Murphy possibly reprising his role in the new installment, nothing has been officially confirmed, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The original 28 Days Later follows the story of a bicycle courier, played by Murphy, who awakens from a coma to a world devastated by the ‘rage virus.’ The film’s success, grossing $82 million against an $8 million budget, played a significant role in launching Murphy’s career. Despite not being strictly categorized as a ‘zombie movie’ by Boyle, the film is credited with revitalizing the zombie genre and influencing post-apocalyptic media.

The sequel, 28 Weeks Later, directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo in 2007, received positive reviews. However, it remains unclear how it will tie into the narrative of the upcoming 28 Years Later. The anticipation is high as fans eagerly await the next installment in this iconic franchise.