‘28 Years Later: Part 3’ Moves Forward, Cillian Murphy in Talks to Return

According to industry sources cited by Variety, a third installment in the ‘28 Years Later’ series is moving forward.

Sony Pictures has decided to press ahead with the project following positive early screening reactions to the trilogy’s second entry, ‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’ The latest trilogy marks a major expansion of the world first introduced in Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s original ‘28 Days Later,’ representing a new long-form continuation of the franchise more than two decades after the first film’s debut.

Series screenwriter Alex Garland is currently penning the script, and Cillian Murphy is said to be in discussions to reprise his role as ‘Jim,’ the protagonist he originally portrayed in ‘28 Days Later.’

The zombie franchise began in 2001 with Boyle’s ‘28 Days Later,’ a critically influential title that grossed more than $72 million worldwide on a reported budget of roughly $8 million. A follow-up, ‘28 Weeks Later,’ arrived in 2007 with an entirely new cast and without the involvement of Boyle or Garland.

After a lengthy gap, Sony Pictures moved forward with back-to-back productions of ‘28 Years Later’ and its successor, ‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.’ Directed by Danny Boyle, the first film in the new trilogy delivered strong results at the box office, opening to $30 million domestically and reaching a worldwide total of $151 million.

‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,’ directed by Nia DaCosta, is slated for a January 16, 2026 release. Strong early screening reactions appear to have strengthened Sony’s confidence in completing the trilogy.

Alfie Williams, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O’Connell and Ralph Fiennes all return for ‘The Bone Temple,’ having previously appeared in ‘28 Years Later.’ Cillian Murphy also returns as ‘Jim,’ marking his first appearance in the role since ‘28 Days Later’ nearly 20 years ago.

Murphy is reportedly in talks to return for the third film as well, though no official casting announcements have been made. Boyle has expressed interest in directing the final installment, but nothing has been confirmed.