As the year sweeps forward and the early-season cinematic releases of January fade further into memory, it is easy to overlook the steady, terrifying expansion of one of modern horror’s most influential franchises. Earlier this year, audiences were treated to 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, a direct sequel to 2025’s 28 Years Later. Expanding upon the visionary and kinetic zombie horror universe originally forged by director Danny Boyle, the latest installment proved to be a visually arresting and critically praised entry that injected fresh life into a genre it helped redefine more than two decades ago.
More importantly, The Bone Temple meticulously set the narrative stage for the grand conclusion of a planned horror trilogy. However, despite the rapid-fire production turnaround that brought the first two chapters to the silver screen in quick succession, movement on the third and final installment has remained remarkably quiet. For anxious fans wondering if the trilogy would be left incomplete, director Danny Boyle has finally offered a reassuring glimmer of hope.
Speaking during the Zurich Film Festival, Boyle addressed the status of the prospective third film during a wide-ranging conversation with international press. According to reports from Variety, the acclaimed filmmaker expressed strong confidence that the project will eventually come to fruition, driven largely by persistent public demand.
"Twenty-eight years later, part 3, or whatever it ends up being called, will get made because people keep asking about it," Boyle told attendees at the festival. While the director could not commit to a concrete timeline or production schedule, he confirmed that the creative foundation for the movie is already securely in place. Longtime collaborator Alex Garland—who penned the original 2002 cultural phenomenon 28 Days Later as well as both of the recent 28 Years Later films—has already completed the screenplay for the finale, a script that Boyle enthusiastically described as "very good."
Despite Boyle’s palpable optimism and the creative readiness of the script, the trilogy’s conclusion still faces a familiar Hollywood hurdle: the project has not yet received an official greenlight from studio executives.
Should the final chapter secure its formal approval, it is poised to bring back one of the most iconic figures in modern horror history. The upcoming film is expected to heavily feature Cillian Murphy, who famously anchored the franchise as Jim in the original 2002 film. Murphy’s long-awaited, full-fledged return to the series was heavily teased in the closing moments of The Bone Temple, where the actor made a brief, impactful appearance. Narrative projections suggest that Jim will likely cross paths with survivors Spike, played by Alfie Williams, and Kellie, portrayed by Erin Kellyman, both of whom were introduced in The Bone Temple. This potential merging of the franchise’s foundational survivor with the new generation of characters sets up an emotionally resonant and high-stakes finale.
Danny Boyle Reveals His Pick for James Bond
Beyond the blood-soaked horizon of the 28 Years Later franchise, Boyle’s festival appearances also turned toward another legendary British film property: the James Bond series. The director’s history with 007 is well-documented and famously tumultuous. Boyle was originally attached to direct No Time to Die, Daniel Craig’s fifth and final outing as the suave super-spy, before abruptly departing the high-profile production due to creative differences with franchise producers and star Daniel Craig.
Reflecting on that high-profile departure during his festival remarks, Boyle offered a candid assessment of what went wrong behind the scenes. "They lost confidence in it," Boyle said, looking back at the abandoned iteration of the spy thriller. "It’s a shame, because it could have been really good." Following Boyle’s exit, the studio brought in filmmaker Cary Joji Fukunaga to helm No Time to Die, guiding Craig’s cinematic swan song to completion.
Looking ahead toward the future of the perpetually evolving spy franchise, Boyle voiced strong support for the direction of the series. He expressed belief that Denis Villeneuve, who is slated to helm the next installment in the James Bond franchise, will prove to be an exceptional steward for the property. Interestingly, Villeneuve’s connection to the franchise runs deep; the acclaimed sci-fi and drama director was initially courted by producers to direct No Time to Die long before Boyle ever became attached to the project.
When the conversation shifted to the perennial parlor game of who should ultimately succeed Daniel Craig in the coveted tuxedo, Boyle offered a distinct and personal recommendation. The director pointed directly to Jack O’Connell as his ideal choice to carry the 007 mantle.
Boyle’s endorsement of O’Connell stems from firsthand professional experience. The two recently collaborated on the first 28 Years Later film and have continued their creative partnership on Boyle’s upcoming feature project, Ink. Beyond his work with Boyle, audiences have grown increasingly familiar with O’Connell’s intense screen presence, most notably through his critically acclaimed performance as the disturbingly charismatic vampire Remmick in the horror hit Sinners. Whether O’Connell’s gritty intensity and commanding dramatic range will catch the eye of longtime Bond producers remains to be seen, but Boyle’s vocal backing firmly places the talented actor in the conversation as the franchise looks toward its next chapter.
