News keeps coming about the prospective trilogy that will serve as acontinuation ofDanny Boyle’s2002’s zombie horror franchise28 Days Later.We now know who will be helming the second installment of the trilogy, asThe MarvelsandCandymandirectorNia DaCostais in talks to direct the second film, according toDeadline. She will direct the yet-to-be-named film as the middle portion of the trilogy for Sony Pictures, with Boyleset to direct the first film,28 Years Later.
Details about DaCosta’s involvement with the second film - or really, any details about the film at all - remain slim. However, Deadline reported that work on the trilogy is being fast-tracked, with the plan being for Boyle to direct the first film later in 2024, followed by DaCosta’s film immediately after that.Alex Garland,who will be back in theaters on Friday with his dystopian filmCivil War,will write the script for all three films, just as he did with28 Days Laterin 2002.
Plot details about28 Years Laterand its follow-ups are also few and far between. However,28 Days Laterstarred recent Academy Award recipientCillian Murphyas Jim, a bicycle courier in London who goes into a coma following an accident. While he is in his coma, a contagious virus spreads that turns people into zombies and causes society to descend into chaos. Jim awakens 28 days after the outbreak and must learn to survive in a broken-down London. The film was followed by a sequel,28 Weeks Later,though Murphy did not reprise his role in that installment. While Murphy hasn’t officially inked a deal to return for the new trilogy, he will executive produce Boyle’s film and previously spoke toColliderabout his desire to return as Jim. Boyle, Garland,Andrew Macdonald, Peter Rice, andBernie Bellewwill produce DaCosta’s film.
DaCosta Already Has an Impressive Resume
With her directing ofThe Marvels and Candyman,DaCosta already has significant experience behind the camera. WhileThe Marvelsdid not recieve critical acclaim,Candymanwas recieved well by criticsand grossed $77 million at the worldwide box office. And helming a reboot/sequel won’t be new territory for DaCosta, either, as bothThe MarvelsandCandymanwere additional installments.Candyman,which similarly reinvigorated a horror franchise, starredYahya Abdul-Mateen IIin the title role.
Next up, DaCostais directingHedda,a drama film based on the 19th century playHedda Gabler.Few details have been released, but the film will starTessa Thompson, Tom Bateman, Imogen Poots,andNina Hoss.No release window for the28 Yearstrilogy has been announced. The original movie is streaming now on Prime Video. Stay tuned to Collider for more information.
28 Days Later
Four weeks after a mysterious, incurable virus spreads throughout the UK, a handful of survivors attempt to find sanctuary.
Watch on Prime Video
