One of the most anticipated movie sequels finally gets green light

Brilliant news for film fans.

Back in January 2024, it was announced that director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland were working together on a trilogy of sequels to their 2002 hit post-apocalyptic horror 28 Days Later and its 2007 follow-up 28 Weeks Later.

The first part of the trilogy, 28 Years Later, arrived in cinemas in June 2025 to rave reviews and box office success.

We here at JOE said of the movie in our review: "28 Years Later is a near-perfect, consistently thrilling blend of story and style.

"[It] manages to find a fresh perspective on the apocalypse, just as viewers may have thought there were no new stories to tell."

The second part of the new trilogy, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, will land in cinemas on 14 January.

Directed by Nia DaCosta (Candyman), the film will continue the story of Dr Ian Kelson (Ralph Fiennes), a former GP who makes a shocking discovery that could change the world.

The life of young boy Spike (Alfie Williams), meanwhile, has become a nightmare he can't escape. This is following his encounter with the sinister cult leader, Jimmy Crystal (Jack O'Connell), at the end of the previous entry in the franchise.

You can watch a video about the upcoming horror below:

While 28 Years Later and The Bone Temple were shot back-to-back, the intended trilogy capper - which would focus on the character of Jim (Cillian Murphy) from the original 28 Days Later - had not yet been confirmed.

Speaking to JOE about the trilogy plan earlier this year, Boyle said the following:

"[Cillian's] part of the planning of the whole trilogy of films that we're making. We've shot the first one, which is released now: 28 Years Later.

"We've shot the second one, which is released in January and will feature Cillian in one section of it. And then the third film is then his film.

"So, it's a kind of rainbow, a horror rainbow, and the pot of gold at the end of it is Cillian Murphy."

JOE asked Boyle if he was ever wary about committing to a trilogy plan, especially since box office success would be a major factor as to whether the trilogy would be completed.

In response, he told us that while 28 Years Later Part 3 would depend on the box office performance of its predecessors, he was confident it would be made.

Boyle said:

"I'm sure we'll find a way of making it, even say, if we don't get as much money as we would like to do.

"Because I think the arc of the story is really satisfying. Each film should be satisfying on its own. You should be able to see them in any order you want.

"But to have completed the three would be wonderful. And like I say, you then have a connection back to the original film through Cillian.

"He's playing the same character, Jim. But he's got the 28 years of evidence on him. So, that's a beautiful extra arc as well that you'd be able to complete.

"That's quite rare to have that in a career. So, it's a wonderful thing to hang on for."

According to a new Deadline report, the early fan reaction to 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is so strong that Sony is moving forward with Part 3.

The outlet also states that Murphy is in talks to reprise his role as Jim in the trilogy capper.

Boyle previously said he intended to direct 28 Years Later Part 3.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is in cinemas on 14 January 2025.