28 Years Later, the surprise sequel to 28 Weeks Later that was announced earlier this month, has officially landed at Sony, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The highly anticipated film from director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland saw Sony win the rights after a bidding war for the film. According to THR, the sequel is part of a package that includes a sequel film. However, Boyle will only direct the first project, with the sequel to be directed by an as-of-yet-unknown director.
In perhaps the most notable news, however, it was reported that Cillian Murphy — who starred in the original film, 28 Days Later — would be involved as an executive producer. THR also notes that the star could also act in the film, although that is being kept under wraps as of now.
Murphy previously expressed interest in doing another film set in the 28 Days Later universe, although his star has risen greatly since the original 2002 film.
What was 28 Days Later about?
In 28 Days Later, Murphy starred as Jim, a London bicycle courier who awakes from a coma to discover a contagious virus caused the collapse of society. The ensemble features Naomie Harrie, Megan Burns, Christopher Eccleston, Noah Huntley, Stuart McQuarrie, and Brendan Gleeson.
“A group of misguided animal rights activists free a caged chimp infected with the ‘Rage’ virus from a medical research lab,” the official synopsis reads. “When London bike courier Jim (Cillian Murphy) wakes up from a coma a month after, he finds his city all but deserted. On the run from the zombie-like victims of the Rage, Jim stumbles upon a group of survivors, including Selena (Naomie Harris) and cab driver Frank (Brendan Gleeson), and joins them on a perilous journey to what he hopes will be safety.”
Danny Boyle directed 28 Days Later from a script written by Alex Garland. A sequel, 28 Weeks Later, was released in 2007, with Boyle and Garland serving as executive producers.
