Danny Boyle Is Bringing Back the Rage: 28 Years Later 3 Shoots Next Year

If you thought we'd seen the last of infected-ravaged Britain, not so fast. Danny Boyle is back in the director's chair for the 28 Days Later universe, looking to wrap up his new trilogy—and no, they're not giving up after a middling middle instalment.

The 28 Years Later Trilogy: Where We're At

So, here's how this wild ride is unfolding:

• First up, we got 28 Years Later, with Boyle returning to the series and online fans lapping up the teaser trailer. That film did a tidy job reigniting the franchise.
• Next, we've had 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, whose ticket sales didn’t exactly set cinemas on fire. Let's be fair: a lot of folks didn't even realise they were in for a new trilogy and were blindsided by the sequel.
• And now, forget any notions that Sony or Boyle are binning the third film because of box office nerves. Part 3 is still firmly on the cards.

Why Hasn't Part 3 Started Shooting?

Chris Bumbray, our Editor-in-Chief, caught up with Danny Boyle to mark 30 years of Trainspotting (yes, time flies). Boyle got into the nitty gritty of what’s holding up film number three:

"We ran out of time. It’s set in an area of Britain [where] you can only film in certain times of the year. We ran out of time this year – we literally ran out of time. So it'll be, hopefully, next year. But there's the enthusiasm there and Alex (Garland) has done a wonderful script for it."

In short: it’s not artistic temperament, pandemic woes, or a crisis of confidence. Just the bloody British weather and a narrow production window. Shooting’s now aiming for next year, provided the skies cooperate.

Will Cillian Murphy Be Back?

The big question: are we getting Cillian Murphy for the trilogy capper? His character’s story was hinted as the possible centrepiece for the finale to Bone Temple, but details are, as yet, locked up tighter than a RAGE virus quarantine zone.

Murphy told The Times, when asked about coming back:

"Hope so! I’m ready anyway."

If he returns, it’ll close the loop in a satisfyingly neat (and probably traumatising) way.

How Did 'The Bone Temple' Actually Do?

The Bone Temple may have stumbled financially, but not everyone’s down on it. Chris Bumbray reckons it’s a huge leap forward from the first 28 Years Later, which is saying something. Here’s a taste of what he thought:

"I really was shocked by how much I enjoyed 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which I found compelling from start to finish. The cast is great, with O'Connell and Fiennes in top form, while Mayor of Kingstown's Emma Laird also pops up in a great part as one of the more evil members of the gang (whereas Willow star Erin Kellyman is one of the more humane members—and similarly effective). Heck, even if you REALLY didn't like the last one, give this one a shot. It’s such a huge improvement you’ll barely believe it."

So that’s the pulse check: Box office, no. Creative momentum, definitely—at least among those who’ve actually seen the thing.