After a long wait, the much-awaited sequel to the horror films 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later will be released next summer. The trailer for 28 Years Later gives fans a sneak peek at what to expect.
Here is everything you need to know about the film.
What is 28 Years Later about?
The latest film comes more than 30 years after the virus broke out of a biological weapons lab, where some infected people managed to survive despite a quarantine.
They find secrets and horrors that have changed not just the infected but even other survivors when one of the gang departs the guarded island they are living on to go to the mainland.
Before blood is splashed on the screen and a woman screams, the fast-paced trailer opens with a bunch of children being urged to keep quiet while watching the BBC preschool programme Teletubbies on TV.
The scene then shifts to a small island where men are working the soil with horses. Pinned images of “roles in the community” such as councilman, seamster, and farmer are shown on a board.
Despite having a lot of similarities to zombie films, the hordes of people in the franchise are really infected with a “rage virus” rather than being zombies.
Unlike the slow-moving zombies in movies, the monsters in the original 28 Days Later were able to sprint.
Who is in the cast?
Cillian Murphy plays Jim?
Cillian Murphy plays the the lead protagonist in original film 28 Weeks Late. Although the actor doesn’t officially appear in the trailer, fans think they may have spotted a zombie version of his character. Jim.
The 48-year-old is also the executive producer for the film.
The Irish actor is well-known for playing Tommy Shelby in Peaky Blinders.
Jodie Comer
Jodie Comer, who won an Emmy for her role in Killing Eve, plays a mother who is on the run.
Comer became well-known for her roles in Doctor Foster and My Mad Fat Diary. She additionally appeared in the drama miniseries Thirteen.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Aaron Taylor-Johnson is best known for playing the title role in Kick-Ass and its 2013 follow-up, and for playing Pietro Maximoff in Avengers: Age of Ultron, a character from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Ralph Fiennes
Ralph Fiennes is known for his many roles in a variety of films, but he’s probably best known for portraying Voldermort in the Harry Potter series.
Erin Kellyman as Jimmy Ink
Erin Kellyman portrays Jimmy Ink in 28 Years Later. Not much is known about the role.
The actress gained prominence through Channel 4 sitcom Raised by Wolves, and she then went onto play Enfys Nest in Solo: A Star Wars Story.
What’s happened to Cillian Murphy’s character?
Murphy is an executive producer on the movie, but he was left off Sony's official cast list on Tuesday.
People quickly noticed what seemed to be a zombie version of Jim, the bike courier played by Murphy in 28 Days Later, who overcame extreme obstacles to survive the end of the world.
In the most recent trailer, he appears in a field behind Comer's character, appearing considerably more worn out, which is not unexpected if he is who he claims to be.
Some fans had hoped and speculated that the Oppenheimer Oscar winner would rejoin the franchise. But many fans took to X to make fun of Murphy’s possible appearance.
One fan wrote: “Poor Cillian Murphy. 28 Days Later vs 28 Years Later”.
Poor Cillian Murphy 💀😭
— Say My Name (@Name__Error_404) December 10, 2024
28 Days Later vs 28 Years Later pic.twitter.com/DZFed2M9WB
Another user said: “I can’t wait for the press tour when interviewers show Cillian Murphy this image and all the funny things the internet created, and he’ll be like [gif]”.
I can’t wait for the press tour when interviewers show Cillian Murphy this image and all the funny things the internet created, and he’ll be like: https://t.co/2eFH6vf8Jo pic.twitter.com/LJdsyv0hrJ
— Natasha Alvar (@litmysoul) December 11, 2024
A third added: “Cillian Murphy seeing nearly all his mainstream theatrical releases involve him in memes.”.
Cillian Murphy seeing nearly all his mainstream theatrical releases involve him in memes. https://t.co/AgJNSrpsh1 pic.twitter.com/wrI4CID0CF
— Mark Gorrow (@MARK_AND_MOVIES) December 11, 2024
When will 28 Years Later be released?
28 Years Later will be released in cinemas on June 20, 2025.
Directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland, the original 28 Days Later creative team is back for the follow-up.
With a sequel, 28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple already in the works from Candyman director Nia DaCosta, the movie is anticipated to start a new trilogy.
