Alex Garland Talks 28 Years Later, Confirms New Trilogy in the Works

Writer and director Alex Garland has revealed how the long-awaited zombie sequel, 28 Years Later, finally sprang to life. The sequel to Garland and director Danny Boyles’ 28 Days Later was officially announced as being in production earlier this year, with Garland revealing in an interview with The Guardian that he does now have plans for a whole new trilogy.

Released back in 2002, 28 Days Later was directed by Danny Boyle from a script written by Garland and stars the Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy in one of his first major roles. The story follows a bicycle courier who awakens from a coma to discover that there has been an outbreak of a deadly virus in London, which infects everyone and turns them into mindless killers. 28 Days Later was met with critical acclaim for its reinvention and resurrection of the zombie genre, with a sequel, 28 Weeks Later, being released in 2007.

While details of what 28 Years Later will involve remain under wraps at present, Garland has previously teased the “really cool” and “much bigger” idea he has in mind.

“I have got a really cool idea for it, but it’s a much bigger movie, and one of the things about 28 Days Later is that it was small and punk and this idea is less small and punk. But me and Danny speak about it. Every couple of years it will come up, or going, ‘Do you want to do that?’ and then for some reason it never happens.”

Will Cillian Murphy Return for 28 Years Later?

A big question that hangs over 28 Years Later is “will Cillian Murphy return?” Now an Academy Award winner thanks his stunningly understated lead performance in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, Murphy has addressed the idea of coming back for the follow-up saying, “I’m available.”

“I was talking to Danny Boyle recently, and I said, “Danny, we shot the movie at the end of 2000.” So I think we’re definitely approaching the 28 Years Later. But like I’ve always said, I’m up for it. I’d love to do it. If Alex [Garland] thinks there’s a script in it and Danny wants to do it, I’d love to do it.”

Before 28 Years Later, Alex Garland will first turn his eye to a U.S. dystopia in the upcoming Civil War. You can check out the official synopsis below.

“From filmmaker Alex Garland comes a journey across a dystopian future America, following a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House.”

Written and directed by Alex Garland, Civil War stars Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Nick Offerman and has been met with critical acclaim following its world premiere at SXSW.