28 Years Later Part 3 Confirmed by Danny Boyle With Major Cillian Murphy Return
28 Years Later Part 3 is officially moving forward, with filmmaker Danny Boyle confirming that the next chapter of the post-apocalyptic horror franchise is in development and will feature a substantial return from Cillian Murphy.
Boyle provided the update while speaking at the Zurich Film Festival, where he was discussing his latest film Ink. The director confirmed that a script by franchise writer Alex Garland is already in place and described it as a very good script. He also revealed that Murphy will have a much more significant presence in the upcoming film.
While the movie does not yet have a confirmed release date, Boyle’s latest comments provide the clearest indication yet that the planned trilogy will continue.
Danny Boyle Confirms 28 Years Later Part 3
The development of 28 Years Later Part 3 has been discussed for some time, but Boyle’s latest comments offer a direct confirmation that the project remains active.
Speaking at the Zurich Film Festival, Boyle said that the third movie “will get made” and confirmed that Alex Garland has already written a script. The director also acknowledged that the exact production timeline has not yet been determined.
This follows earlier reports that Sony had moved ahead with a third installment, with Garland writing and Murphy in talks to reprise his role. Boyle had also previously indicated that scheduling and filming-location limitations had pushed production plans into a later period.
For fans of the franchise, the latest announcement effectively confirms that the story conceived as a new trilogy is continuing.
Cillian Murphy Will Have a Much Bigger Role
The biggest revelation from Boyle concerns Cillian Murphy.
Murphy originated the character of Jim in the original 28 Days Later, released in 2002. His character was a bicycle courier who awakens from a coma and discovers that a devastating outbreak has transformed London.
Murphy did not appear in the first 28 Years Later, but he returned to the franchise in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. His appearance connected the newer trilogy to the original film and helped set up further developments in the story.
Boyle has now confirmed that Murphy’s presence will be significantly larger in the third installment, saying there will be “a lot” of the actor in the movie.
The comment suggests that Jim could once again become a central character, although specific plot details have not been officially revealed.
Alex Garland Has Already Written the Script
Another important development is that Alex Garland has completed a screenplay for the third film.
Garland wrote the original 28 Days Later and returned as the writer of the new trilogy. Boyle described the latest script as “a very good script” during his Zurich Film Festival appearance.
Garland’s continued involvement maintains the creative connection between the original movie and the newer films.
The first 28 Years Later was written by Garland and directed by Boyle, while Nia DaCosta directed 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Boyle is expected to return behind the camera for the third installment.
The Story Continues After The Bone Temple
The new trilogy began with 28 Years Later, which revisited the world introduced by 28 Days Later nearly three decades after the original Rage virus outbreak.
The story shifted its focus to a new generation of survivors, including Spike, played by Alfie Williams. The film explored a Britain where communities have developed new ways of surviving while infected people and other threats remain present.
The second installment, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, expanded that storyline while bringing Murphy’s Jim back into the franchise.
Sony had previously greenlit the third film, with Garland attached as writer and Boyle expected to direct.
The three-film structure was part of Boyle and Garland’s broader plan for the new storyline. Boyle had previously explained that the movies were designed with connections between their individual stories, allowing characters and plot elements to carry forward from one installment to another.
What Will 28 Years Later Part 3 Be About?
Specific plot details for 28 Years Later Part 3 remain under wraps.
The first two movies established a new generation of characters while reconnecting the story to Jim and the original outbreak. The ending of The Bone Temple provides material for another chapter, but the filmmakers have not publicly disclosed the complete storyline for the third movie.
With Murphy expected to have a much larger role, the relationship between Jim and the newer characters could become an important part of the next installment.
However, there has been no official synopsis confirming exactly how the characters will interact or what threat they will face.
Boyle Is Expected to Return as Director
Danny Boyle directed the original 28 Days Later and returned to the franchise for 28 Years Later.
He did not direct 28 Weeks Later, which was directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, but he has remained closely involved with the newer trilogy as both director and producer.
Boyle had previously indicated that he intended to direct the third movie. In May 2026, he said production had been affected by the limited period during which certain locations in Britain could be filmed and suggested the movie could move into production the following year.
His latest comments now confirm that the project remains active, although a precise filming schedule has yet to be announced.
Why Cillian Murphy’s Return Matters to the Franchise
Murphy’s return gives the new trilogy a direct connection to the character who helped establish the franchise more than two decades ago.
Jim was at the heart of 28 Days Later, and Murphy’s performance became one of the most recognizable elements of the original movie.
His brief return in The Bone Temple reopened questions about his character’s future. Boyle’s confirmation that the third installment will feature much more of Murphy indicates that Jim’s story has not yet reached its endpoint.
The decision also allows the filmmakers to connect the original mythology with the newer generation of survivors without simply recreating the first film.
No Release Date Has Been Announced
Despite the confirmation that the film is moving forward, audiences should not expect an immediate release announcement.
Boyle specifically said he was unsure when the movie would be made. The production has previously faced scheduling complications, while the filmmaker is also working on other projects.
As a result, there is currently no officially confirmed release date for 28 Years Later Part 3.
The existence of a completed script means the project has moved beyond the earliest conceptual stage, but filming, casting and release plans still need to be finalized.
The Future of the 28 Days Later Franchise
The confirmation of 28 Years Later Part 3 completes the picture of the new trilogy’s intended direction.
The franchise began with 28 Days Later in 2002, followed by 28 Weeks Later in 2007. Boyle and Garland then returned to the property with 28 Years Later, launching a new storyline set decades after the original outbreak.
With Garland writing the third installment, Boyle returning to direct and Murphy expected to play a much larger role, the upcoming movie will bring together several of the key creative elements associated with the original film.
For now, fans will have to wait for additional announcements regarding production dates, the wider cast and the official title.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is 28 Years Later Part 3 officially happening?
Yes. Danny Boyle has confirmed that the third installment will be made and that Alex Garland has already written a script.
2. Will Cillian Murphy be in 28 Years Later Part 3?
Yes. Boyle confirmed that Murphy will have a substantial presence in the third film, following his return to the franchise in The Bone Temple.
3. Will Cillian Murphy play Jim again?
Murphy is expected to reprise his role as Jim, the character he originally played in 28 Days Later. Earlier reports identified him as returning to the third installment, while Boyle has now confirmed his significant involvement.
4. Who is writing 28 Years Later Part 3?
Alex Garland is writing the screenplay. Garland also wrote the original 28 Days Later and the first installment of the new trilogy.
5. Will Danny Boyle direct 28 Years Later Part 3?
Boyle has indicated that he plans to direct the third movie and remains attached to the project. Previous production updates also identified him as the planned director.
6. Does 28 Years Later Part 3 have a release date?
No official release date has been announced. Boyle said he was unsure when the third film would be made.
7. What is the 28 Years Later franchise about?
The franchise follows the aftermath of the Rage virus, a highly contagious infection that causes violent behavior and contributes to the collapse of society.
8. Did Cillian Murphy appear in 28 Years Later?
Murphy did not appear in the first 28 Years Later, but he returned as Jim in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. He is expected to have a considerably larger role in the third installment.
9. Who directed 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple?
Nia DaCosta directed 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, while Danny Boyle directed the first film in the new trilogy.
10. Is 28 Years Later Part 3 the final movie?
It is planned as the third installment of the new 28 Years Later trilogy. However, the filmmakers have not announced whether the broader franchise will end permanently after this film.
