28 Years Later 3 Script Complete, Cillian Murphy Set

Danny Boyle has confirmed that Alex Garland has written a script for 28 Years Later 3 and that Cillian Murphy will return as Jim. The director revealed the news at the Zurich Film Festival, expressing uncertainty about the production timeline despite the creative progress.

Boyle stated, "Quite when I’m not sure, but there’s a script, a very good script by Alex Garland." He also teased that there would be "a lot of Cillian Murphy" in the third film. The director remained optimistic about the project's eventual realization, saying, 28 Years 3, or whatever it ends up being called, will get made because people keep asking about it. Sony had announced the film was moving forward last December.

Trilogy plans face setbacks despite creative progress

Although the script is complete and key cast are attached, the third film faces significant delays. The idea of shooting over the next few months is very unlikely. The filming delay is blamed on seasonal filming windows in the part of Britain where the story is set. Boyle had hoped to start filming next year as of May.

Further complicating matters, Sony Pictures is rumoured to be less than enthused about injecting further funds for the final movie. This reported hesitancy follows underwhelming box office returns for the pair of 28 Years movies thus far.

Sequel’s performance raises questions about franchise viability

The second film, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta, underperformed financially despite critical acclaim. Its box office takings fell short of projections.

Director Nia DaCosta admitted the box office performance disappointed her. This commercial result contrasts sharply with the first film, 28 Years Later, which was met with critical acclaim and commercial success, making $151 million worldwide after hitting cinemas in the summer of 2025.

Franchise legacy and creative team remain intact

The 28 Years Later trilogy was launched to some fanfare last year. Both films were made back to back from scripts by Alex Garland. Boyle remained as a producer on The Bone Temple but handed directing duties to DaCosta, with the plan always being for him to return to direct the trilogy closer.

The story is set almost three decades after the outbreak of the 'Rage Virus'. Murphy made a brief, uncredited appearance at the end of The Bone Temple, reprising his iconic role from 28 Days Later. Boyle had claimed before the release of the first 28 Years Later movie that the trilogy plot was 'outlined' but funding needed to be raised first, stating at the time, That will depend on how the first film performs. The director has recently been distracted with his movie Ink. Danny Boyle hoped to start filming the third movie next year as of May.