Sony Greenlights Third Installment of the 28 Years Later Trilogy

Sony Pictures has officially greenlit a third installment in the 28 Years Later franchise, following the positive reception of the upcoming sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta. The film is set to release on January 16, 2026, and early screenings have generated significant buzz among fans and critics alike. Cillian Murphy, who reprises his role from the original 28 Days Later, is reportedly in talks to return, while franchise writer Alex Garland is currently penning the script for the third film.

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The 28 Years Later series is a continuation of the original 28 Days Later, released in 2002, which was directed by Danny Boyle and written by Garland. The franchise explores a dystopian future where a virus has transformed victims into aggressive "infected." Following the success of the first film, a sequel, 28 Weeks Later, was released in 2007. The latest installment, 28 Years Later, debuted in June 2025, grossing over $151 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film in the franchise to date.

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Cillian Murphy, an Academy Award-winning actor known for his role as Jim in the original film, is expected to have a significant presence in the third installment. Nia DaCosta, who directed The Bone Temple, has taken over from Danny Boyle, who directed the first film and has expressed interest in returning to helm the third movie. Alex Garland, the original writer, is also back to craft the script for the concluding chapter of the trilogy.

28 Years Later: Third Film In New Trilogy Gets Greenlight

Early reactions to 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple have been overwhelmingly positive. Critics have praised DaCosta's direction and the performances of the cast, including Ralph Fiennes and Jack O’Connell. Simon Thompson, a film critic, noted that the film presents a "brutal and nightmarish study of unchecked power," highlighting the film's complex narrative and character portrayals.

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While Sony has not made an official announcement regarding the third film, the decision to proceed appears to be a direct response to the favorable early screenings of The Bone Temple. Murphy previously indicated his enthusiasm for returning to the franchise, stating, “I would be there in a flash,” expressing his eagerness to work with the original team again.

Sony Moving Forward with Third ‘28 Years Later’ Movie

With the third film now in development, fans can anticipate further details as the release date for The Bone Temple approaches. The success of the upcoming sequel will likely influence the direction and production timeline for the final installment in the trilogy.

28 Years Later: Third Film In New Trilogy Gets Greenlight

• “Nia DaCosta knocks it out of the park with #28YearsLater #TheBoneTemple. The complex tapestry of tones provides the perfect canvas for a brutal and nightmarish study of unchecked power. O’Connell goes all in on maniacal Sir Jimmy while Fiennes eats up needle drops like a demon.” — Simon Thompson, Film Critic

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• “I didn’t know that – I would be there in a flash.” — Cillian Murphy, Actor

The Independent

The 28 Years Later trilogy continues to evolve, promising to deliver a compelling conclusion to the narrative that began over two decades ago.

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