Danny Boyle's Return To The Rage Virus World

This week, we return to Danny Boyle's 28 Years Later, which depicts a world after a calamity. It's been more than two decades since he introduced us to this terrifying universe with his incredible horror film 28 Days Later. There is a new film out now. However, he will not return to the James Bond film franchise. He almost directed Daniel Craig's final Bond film, but creative disputes caused it to fall apart.

Before Cary Fukunaga directed 007's final journey in No Time To Die, Boyle was in line to direct. Unfortunately, things did not work out. James Bond movies are now available on Amazon. Business Insider questioned Boyle if he would ever helm another Bond film. While some fans had hoped he would say "never say never," Boyle stated that it is a definitive "never."

"That ship has sailed," Boyle replied when asked about it. "The thing I regret about that is the script was really good," he claimed. "John Hodge is a wonderful writer." The script, which was discussed in 2022, would have portrayed Bond as a "relic of the Cold War," fighting a Russian menace. It totally accepted the idea of Bond dying, which was part of Craig's contract and remained in the finished picture. "I don't think they appreciated how good that script was," Boyle told me. "And because they didn't, we moved on, and that's the way it should be." Boyle wishes the world's favorite agent continued success in his future exploits. "Whatever happens with Bond going forward now is what it will be."

Why Danny Boyle Returned to His Infected World After 28 Years

The director explains why he revisited the rage virus after so long.

For almost two decades, people have asked Danny Boyle one question: what happened after the zombie apocalypse he created? His 2002 film 28 Days Later altered the zombie film genre significantly. It also contributed to the development of a method of producing films with digital video cameras in the early 2000s. But when years and decades passed and Boyle went on to win an Oscar and direct other films, he couldn't think of a good way to continue his first film.

Boyle and author Alex Garland did not direct the first sequel, 28 Weeks Later, which was released in 2007. They were already working on their science-fiction film Sunshine. And attempting to have their own idea for a follow-up film done in Hollywood never really gained traction. It looked like it would never happen.

Boyle didn't realize how popular the film was until the British Film Institute requested him to participate in a Q&A session for a 20th anniversary screening of 28 Days Later in 2022. "I showed up, and it was a packed theater," Boyle told Business Insider on a recent visit to New York City. "I was shocked. You could feel the audience's excitement while watching it. I texted Alex thereafter, telling him there was still a demand for this. So he came up with an idea.

Garland's concept became 28 Years Later, which premieres in theaters on June 20. The film centers on a little island village in England. Twenty-eight years after the Rage Virus devastated the country, they've learnt to live relatively independently. But when Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his 12-year-old son Spike (Alfie Williams) visit the mainland, they discover fresh strains of the virus. They also come upon survivors who have devised their own terrifying survival strategies.

New Characters And Innovative Filming Methods In The Most Recent 28 Years Later Movie

From iPhones to Future Trilogy This Is How Rage Lives On.

Although the cast for 28 Years Later is entirely new, and we don't see original actor Cillian Murphy, reports suggest Boyle is just getting started. He is also a producer on the sequel, which is expected to be released in January. The movie is titled 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Nia DaCosta, the director of Candyman, shot it shortly after 28 Years Later concluded filming. And Boyle will return to direct a third film in this new series. Cillian Murphy, who played the protagonist in 28 Days Later, will star in the third movie. This will occur if Sony decides to produce it.

So, how did Boyle decide how to continue his zombie film series? His trick is to think little, not grandiose. Despite his ambitious aspirations for a trilogy of films, he began by keeping 28 Years Later as realistic as possible. "I love limitations because I can push against them, which gives me energy and creativity," Boyle stated with a big smile. "So the third movie is in many ways an original film."

Boyle stated how much the COVID outbreak influenced how he envisioned characters dealing with the Rage Virus 28 years later. He believed people would get used to it. They would be able to determine when to take risks and when to quit. This film features a child who is completely unaware of the illness. He's only heard stories. The movie depicts children drawing illustrations of the stories they have been told. They created misconceptions about the virus. This sounds like a method in which the past affects the present. The culture prior to the accident is distorted, and it is unclear how accurate it is.

The graphics have always been an important component of Boyle's films, particularly this trilogy. The film 28 Days Later contributed to the widespread adoption of digital cameras. Boyle is now filming his new film on iPhones. This has been done numerous times by independent filmmakers, but this is the first time camera phones have been used in a large studio setting. Boyle wanted to accomplish this because he felt compelled to maintain the spirit of the first film while also acknowledging that technology has advanced significantly.

Phones now record in 4K resolution, as do many traditional cameras. Using phones made videography very lightweight and portable. Some of the locations they filmed had not been touched in many years. Northumberland is in England. To film there with a crew, you have to be light. Having iPhone cameras helped with this. They also employed many drones with various camera lenses, as well as a unique Panasonic night vision camera. The iPhone provided a light touch. It allowed them to use exotic camera configurations that he had been wanting to use for a long time. This allows them to move the camera in a "bullet time" effect without using a lot of heavy equipment. Instead than constructing tracks and bringing a lot of gear to these old areas, all you need to do is follow footsteps.

The Secrecy Around 28 Years Later: What It Means For The Movie's Release

Sony's strict review embargo sparks talk as the premiere date approaches.

Many individuals have inquired about 28 Years Later being screened. Yes, it has been widely circulated to the press. However, no one can say anything about it. Not even a short social media post. Complete silence. The film opens in theaters on Friday, but according to Sony's severe embargo, we can't discuss about it until Wednesday. This is only 24 hours till early showings begin. This does not give people confidence in the film.

Sony's official purpose is to prevent spoilers. But honestly, there are alternative ways to accomplish this without silencing every film writer in the country. Studios typically ask people not to reveal major narrative aspects. That is not what is occurring here. What's going on feels more like fear. If you have a fantastic film, you want people to speak about it. You need people to discuss it. You don't wait until the final second to hear someone say it's genuinely good. Or perhaps that is the point. We'll see soon enough.

Boyle confesses that he will say and do everything to get a film made. He believes that filmmakers sometimes make empty promises to studios. Studios are scared because they are large corporations. You must "massage" your ideas to match their needs. Boyle asked, "What better promise could you make?" That is quite a deflection of any technical worries; they quickly forget." He said that they "nakedly used that to get our own way." However, he added that Sony was aware of what they were entering into. This level of secrecy may indicate that a big surprise is in store for viewers.

Looking ahead: The future of the 28 Days Later series and its impact.

What to expect as this horror series continues to terrify audiences.

The much awaited sequel 28 Years Later will be released this Friday, June 20. The original film 28 Days Later, which was released in 2002, is now available on BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom after being shown on BBC One. If you want to view the entire series before the new film, the standalone sequel 28 Weeks Later from 2007 is available on Netflix and Disney+ for UK and Ireland customers. This allows both new and longtime fans to catch up on the tale.

28 Days Later was written by Alex Garland, who previously penned Ex Machina and Civil War. It follows Cillian Murphy's character, Jim. Jim awakens from a coma to discover that a virus has destroyed society and transformed everyone into killers. As the sickness spreads, there are fewer survivors, and they do not always have noble motives. The film also stars Naomie Harris as Selena, Christopher Eccleston as Major Henry West, Brendan Gleeson as Frank, and Megan Burns as Hannah.

The latest film, also directed by Boyle and written by Garland, begins 28 years after the virus spreads. It depicts survivors living with the sick. The plot revolves around folks who live in a covert, well-protected enclave on an island. When a father and son travel to the mainland on an essential mission, they encounter the harsh realities of the outside world. The film stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Jamie, Jodie Comer as Isla, and Alfie Williams as their 12-year-old son, Spike. Dr. Ian Kelson is portrayed by Ralph Fiennes, while Jack O'Connell plays a cult leader. Edvin Ryding is also among the cast. Nia DaCosta will direct the next movie, The Bone Temple. The release date is January 16, 2026. This means that the universe of 28 Days Later is growing even more. Danny Boyle has revealed that Cillian Murphy will return to the 28... universe later, most likely in The Bone Temple, the third film in the new series. He also serves as an executive producer for these films.