As anticipation builds for the debut of the new film series, 28 Years Later 3 faces an ambiguous update from its creator, Alex Garland. Set against a backdrop of a devastated United Kingdom, this horror franchise explores the chaos unleashed by the Rage virus, which transforms its victims into swift, aggressive zombies. Following an almost two-decade hiatus, the franchise is making a comeback with a new trilogy, beginning with 28 Years Later, where Garland is set to write all three installments and Danny Boyle will direct the first and third films.
However, during a recent interview with The Playlist for his latest war film, Warfare, Garland shared an uncertain status on the third installment. He disclosed that he has only completed the scripts for the first two 28 Years Later films, leaving the status of the third film’s script ambiguous, and he hesitated to confirm his involvement in the writing process for the threequel.
Implications for 28 Years Later 3
Boyle Suggests No Rush on Trilogy Completion
With all three films initially announced simultaneously, it’s surprising that the script for the third installment is still not finalized. Notably, Garland’s uncertainty regarding his return to write 28 Years Later 3 adds to the speculation. Filming on the first two films was done consecutively, leading many to believe production on the third film would soon follow. However, Boyle has indicated a desire to gather audience feedback from the first film before proceeding with the final installment.
This connection to audience response likely explains Garland’s hesitation in providing updates about the screenplay for 28 Years Later 3. It’s reasonable to assume he and Boyle have either a broad story outline or a detailed framework for the trilogy’s conclusion, since they began developing all three films concurrently. Nevertheless, Garland’s lack of affirmation about returning for the third film leaves open the possibility of transferring the writing duties to another screenwriter.
Garland had previously contributed uncredited material to the franchise’s sequel, 28 Weeks Later, which underwent significant rewrites under director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and his team over the course of a year.
If Garland indeed decides to rejoin the project and if their strategy revolves around audience reaction to the first film, there could be definitive news about 28 Years Later 3 by late summer 2025. The presence of high-profile talent in the new trilogy could complicate filming schedules; however, it remains entirely feasible for production to commence by year’s end. This timeline could offer Garland approximately four months to finalize the script, aligning well with the rest of the production schedule.
Perspectives on Garland’s Update for 28 Years Later 3
Why Garland Should Complete His Trilogy
Given that there remains almost a full year until the second installment’s premiere, I remain optimistic regarding the lack of a final script for 28 Years Later 3 and Garland’s uncertain involvement. While I find it intriguing to see how fan feedback will influence the upcoming threequel, I appreciate Garland’s commitment to audience input. His recent discussions about potentially taking a break from directing after the acclaimed Warfare indicate he might return to focus on the writing, putting the finishing touches on the trilogy’s culmination when the time is right.
Source: The Playlist