The release of28 Years Lateris undoubtedly exciting, but another installment in Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s horror franchise could be even better.28 Days Laterleft a big, jaw-shaped dent in the cinematic landscape when it arrived in 2002, contributing to a boom inzombie moviesand TV shows over the next two decades.28 Weeks Laterfollowed, but the absence of Boyle and Garland, as well as the stark shift toward a more action-based tone, meant the sequel never quite filled the shoes of its esteemed predecessor.
28 Days Laterand28 Weeks Laterboth left room for future stories, so as many of the names involved went on to achieve huge Hollywood success, the hunger for more rage virus shenanigans grew. Unfortunately, Boyle and Garland found themselves struggling to turn28 Months Laterinto a reality for a variety of reasons. Months became years, and audience patience has been rewarded with2025’s28 Years Later, with Boyle directing and Garland writing. Eagerly anticipated though28 Years Latermay be, what comes next is arguably more exciting still.
28 Years Later Is Exciting, But The Bone Temple Could Be Even Better
28 Years Later’s Future Is As Bright As Its World Is Bleak
Aside from the thrill of seeing a celebrated franchise return with its original director and writer,28 Years Laterhas an awful lot working in its favor. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes lead a stacked cast,the rage virus' evolution promises a whole different breed of infected, and28 Years Later’s imposing trailerattracted a hugely positive response from fans and critics alike. Nevertheless, the buzz surrounding28 Years Laterobscures the fact that the movie is essentially just the first part of a larger narrative, as a sequel is already lined up for 2026.
Very little has been revealed about28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple’s story and premise, but early signs look even more promising than for this planned trilogy’s opening movie.28 Years Later’s trailer depicts a temple-like structuremade of assorted skulls and bones, but carrying the subtitle “The Bone Temple” suggests it will be the second movie that fully unpacks the meaning and purpose behind this morbid art project. There is a sense that28 Years Laterwill set the pieces, butThe Bone Temple, as the middle installment, is where the meat of the plot will take place, just likeThe Empire Strikes BackorThe Dark Knightbefore it.
Ralph Fiennes himself adds further clues that hint towardThe Bone Temple’s importance. Discussing his28 Years Latercharacter, Dr. Kelson, Fiennes admitshe will be “a much bigger part of the next [movie].” Fiennes is counted among the main cast of28 Years Later, but appears to be acknowledging thatThe Bone Templeis where the fun begins properly.
8 Things 28 Years Later’s Trailer Reveals About What Happened After The Last Movie
28 Years Later’s trailer reveals several shocking changes from the franchise’s last movie that add to the mystery and horror of the Rage Virus.
That makes sense, asthe first two28 Years Latermovies have filmed back-to-back, reinforcing the idea thatpart Iwill set up elements that only pay off or develop fully inThe Bone Temple. Some movies go all-out from the start, then attempt to go bigger in the sequel, which is essentially what happened with28 Weeks Later. By contrast,28 Years Laterwill apparently hold some of its bigger cards back.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Looks More Likely To Continue Jim’s Story
Jim’s Demise Has Been Greatly Exaggerated
Plenty of intrigue and anticipation has been generated by28 Years Later’s new cast and story, but it goes without saying that seeingwhat happened to Cillian Murphy’s Jim after28 Days Laterwas one of the major attractions of continuing this franchise in the first place. Murphy’s return has been confirmed, both onscreen and behind the camera as a producer. Alas, theOscar-winning actor will not feature in28 Years Later.Whatever role Jim has in the new trilogy will likely begin inThe Bone Temple, therefore, as holding off until a third movie that won’t even happen if the first two films flop makes little sense.
The likelihood of Jim’s return, over 20 years in the making, immediately givesThe Bone Templean edge over28 Years Later. It could be that28 Years Lateris designed primarily to introduce the new cast, thenThe Bone Templewill begin merging the new with the old, finally answering the questions over whether Jim’s happy ending lasted after28 Days Later. Again,Murphy’s probable involvement ensures thatThe Bone Templefeels like the bigger, more significant chaptercompared to28 Years Later.
Danny Boyle Has An Encouraging Replacement For 28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple
Nia DaCosta Takes Over For 28 Years Later Part II
After28 Weeks Laterfailed to attain the same level of acclaim as its predecessor, reuniting the duo of Danny Boyle and Alex Garland represented a huge victory for28 Years Later, and the 2025 movie would be nowhere near as exciting without them involved. The fact that Danny Boyle will not be directingThe Bone Templecould, therefore, be viewed as a drawback for the second movie in the trilogy.
95%
84%
The Marvels
62%
Fortunately,The Bone Templehas hired a very worthy replacement in Nia DaCosta. Despite finding no joy withThe Marvels, DaCosta’s 2021 interpretation ofCandymanproved a critical and commercial success. Technically a sequel to the original 1990s movie,Candymanhighlighted DaCosta’s ability to take an existing IP and honor it respectfully, while simultaneously continuing the story in a modern way that feels unique and compelling. If DaCosta can apply that same philosophy when following Danny Boyle’s28 Years Later, losing the franchise’s original director will be far from the disadvantage it appears to be at first glance.
