Sony Greenlights Third Film in Revived “28 Years Later” Trilogy

Sony expands its new horror saga as Alex Garland returns and Cillian Murphy eyes another appearance.

Sony Pictures is officially moving ahead with the third chapter of its newly revived 28 Years Later saga, completing a planned trilogy for the iconic horror franchise. Sources close to the production confirm that the studio quietly approved the next installment following strong internal reaction to early screenings of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.

The upcoming film will once again be written by longtime franchise architect Alex Garland, whose creative return earlier this year helped reignite global interest in the franchise. Discussions are also underway with Cillian Murphy, who originated the role of Jim in the 2001 classic, to reprise his character for a third consecutive appearance. While not confirmed, insiders describe Murphy’s involvement as “increasingly likely.”

The 28 Days Later universe first emerged in 2001 under Fox Searchlight and director Danny Boyle, reshaping modern zombie cinema with its fast-moving infected, minimalist survival storytelling, and raw digital aesthetic. With an $8 million budget and a worldwide gross surpassing $72 million, the film became a defining entry in early-2000s horror.

Fox expanded the franchise with 28 Weeks Later in 2007, a sequel produced under the short-lived Fox Atomic label. Without Boyle or Garland guiding the sequel, it remained a tonal and thematic outlier until Sony, now holding the rights, reunited the original creators for 28 Years Later.

Released this summer, 28 Years Later became a breakout success for Sony, opening to $30 million and ultimately grossing $151 million worldwide. The resurgence gave the studio enough momentum to film the first two chapters, 28 Years Later and The Bone Temple, back-to-back with the intention of crafting a multi-film narrative arc.

The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta and opening January 16, features returning cast members Alfie Williams, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O’Connell, and Ralph Fiennes, alongside newcomers Erin Kellyman and Chi Lewis-Parry. Murphy makes a highly anticipated reappearance, marking his first portrayal of Jim since 2001.

Garland is now actively writing the trilogy’s concluding entry. While Murphy is in talks to return, no additional cast has been announced. Boyle has previously expressed interest in directing the final installment, though Sony has not yet confirmed whether he will officially helm the project.