28 Years Later writer Alex Garland has addressed the confusion over the ending of its predecessor, 28 Weeks Later.
The post-apocalyptic franchise is due to return later this year with its third instalment, portraying a new cluster of characters as they attempt to live after the Rage Virus has ravaged much of the UK.
In 2007’s 28 Weeks Later, it was intimated that the virus had made its way to mainland Europe, though the first trailer for its follow-up hinted that the bug was still strictly present in the UK. This has led to some confusion among fans, though Garland has now clarified the situation.
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“[28 Years Later is] not in conflict [with 28 Weeks Later, but] ‘canon’ [is] not a very Danny Boyle word,” he told Empire Magazine, with director Boyle adding: “It's not mapped out like a scientific formula.”
Garland, who was also joined in the interview by producer Andrew Macdonald, continued by explaining some of the upcoming film’s themes, sharing: “Covid was not in my mind because it was too recent and too present, but Brexit was.
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“[Especially how the rest of the world began to view the UK.] A sense of the globe just sort of shifting its position. Turning their backs, not really looking in this direction. Not really giving a shit [about the UK].”
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28 Years Later will star Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes and Jack O’Connell in the lead roles, with the film following a father and son as they leave a remote island to learn the dark secrets of the mainland.
The film is intended to be the first instalment of a trilogy, with 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple already being confirmed for a January 2026 release. Boyle will take a backseat on the second entry, with Nia DaCosta in the director’s chair.
28 Years Later is scheduled to be released on June 2o.
Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
