‘28 Years Later 3’ Update: Danny Boyle Says Sequel Is “On the Back Burner”

The future of 28 Years Later 3 remains uncertain. Following the disappointing box office performance of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the planned trilogy capper is still struggling to secure financing, leaving director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland focused on other projects.

Speaking with Deadline at the London Film Festival, Boyle offered a disappointing update on the third installment’s status.

“It’s on the back burner at the moment,” the filmmaker admitted, while reiterating that he hopes the sequel will eventually happen if the necessary funding comes through.

Alex Garland and Danny Boyle Are Moving on to Other Projects

Garland’s busy schedule is another factor behind the delay. According to Boyle, the writer has been working on a major project of his own: A24’s Elden Ring movie, which is currently slated to hit theaters in March 2028.

Boyle, meanwhile, has turned his attention to Antarctica, his next directorial project. With both key creatives occupied and financing still unresolved, 28 Years Later 3 appears to be some way off.

Danny Boyle Previously Promised More Cillian Murphy

Despite the uncertainty, Boyle previously expressed confidence that the third film would eventually move forward, pointing to continued fan interest and Garland’s completed screenplay.

“28 Years 3, or whatever it ends up being called, will get made because people keep asking about it,” Boyle previously said. “Quite when I’m not sure, but there’s a script – a very good script by Alex Garland.”

He also suggested that Cillian Murphy would have a significant role in the planned sequel, joking about whether the Oscar-winning actor would be willing to appear nude again after his full-frontal scene in the original 28 Days Later.

“[It will have] a lot of Cillian Murphy in it. Whether he’ll take his kit off anymore, that I don’t know. He’s got the Oscar now,” Boyle quipped.

How The Bone Temple Sets Up 28 Years Later 3

The prospect of Murphy returning makes sense given the ending of The Bone Temple. The film’s closing moments see Alfie Williams’ Spike fleeing the Infected before heading toward the home of Jim, Murphy’s character from 28 Days Later.

Sony had previously been developing the third film, with Garland writing the screenplay, Boyle attached to direct, and Murphy reportedly in talks to star.

However, no further developments have been announced following The Bone Temple‘s release. Based on Boyle’s latest comments, fans may have to wait quite some time before the next chapter of the post-apocalyptic horror franchise becomes a reality.