Movies News Talk
28 Years Later: Ralph Fiennes Spills the Beans on the New Zombie Trilogy!
Get ready for a zombie apocalypse reunion! The 28 Days Later franchise is back, and after nearly two decades of anticipation, we are finally going to see the much-awaited sequel hit theaters in June 20, 2025. This is not just a simple film. This marks the first part of an epic new trilogy. The creative powerhouse behind this upcoming zombie-filled adventure are Danny Boyle and Alex Garland; that duo responsible for the original hit movie. And Ralph Fiennes gave a major update on exactly what that means for the entire narrative.
The original movies, known for their groundbreaking depiction of fast-moving zombies, innovative cinematography (especially 28 Days Later; employing those cutting edge cameras back in 2002, making 28 Days Later a groundbreaking experience for filmmakers), are both highly regarded within the cinematic world. Now, we have new movies building on all that was amazing about these first few films. This latest update from Fiennes, adds so much more excitement— we learn a bunch about the trilogy's status; what awaits in that initial film and why so many people eagerly anticipate this release.
During an interview with IndieWire, Ralph Fiennes let some major details slip! He mentioned the trilogy's status and teased that initial plot points: "It’s three films, of which two have been shot," showcasing the incredible production already completed by 2024. Those other details showcase that this new trilogy will explore Britain, 28 years after the initial viral outbreak.
Here’s Fiennes’ summary, folks: “Britain is 28 years into this terrible plague of infected people who are violent, rabid humans with a few pockets of uninfected communities. And it centers on a young boy who wants to find a doctor to help his dying mother. He leads his mother through this beautiful northern English terrain. But of course, around them hiding in forests and hills and woods are the infected. But he finds a doctor who is a man we might think is going to be weird and odd, but actually is a force for good.”
That teaser plot highlights a surprisingly simple storyline, showing that a focus on human relations and motivations matter just as much (if not more so) in these narratives! The addition of that boy’s mission: seeking medical help for his mom creates human aspects against this intensely horrific environment that might be quite welcome to those unfamiliar or weary with that typically intense and dark nature that often emerges when people discuss that iconic, fast-moving zombie.
So, let’s look into this tease! We now have various story details! The primary setting for this first movie will take place primarily in England. However this decision remains interesting. The ending of 28 Weeks Later suggested that the virus might spread significantly far beyond the bounds of Britain, expanding toward France and most of Europe! Those hints however have now changed to be primarily confined to the original, known infected areas. But those locations within this ravaged landscape remain a terrifying thing; yet another area where the series attempts to remain as credible, and within realistic depictions which emphasizes a realistic situation; a new focus on more human-related storytelling.
We also learn a surprisingly different storyline— we're also going to encounter this initially enigmatic figure – who proves to be an essential person and the main good character: a surprisingly eccentric and difficult to predict character played by Fiennes: That doctor is a “force for good.” The choice of this role for Fiennes showcases the writers’ awareness of how his persona might completely disrupt the audience's own views and assumptions regarding the identity of that pivotal figure. After all, he typically plays villains: Voldemort, the scary chef in The Menu. This addition of unpredictability adds another unexpected but important element to the storyline.
That returning Cillian Murphy as Jim (the iconic character from 28 Days Later)? We'll also see other major players in this new trilogy; all brought in and highlighting that amazing crossover potential: The additions include the always welcome Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, along with other talented performers like Erin Kellyman and Jack O’Connell. But those are mostly guesses!
And how was all this filmed? Those creative decision for choosing smartphones over traditional cameras, especially considering the extremely large $75 million budget adds another extremely surprising and welcome twist. This unexpected method is being called a full-circle return and is very, very innovative. They use the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which shows that this extremely popular device could indeed provide high-quality filming and provide incredibly crisp shots that add immense quality to what could've easily become another cheesy production, demonstrating that some innovative practices that could be explored can actually bring significant success to even larger projects!
The 28 Days Later trilogy looks awesome. This is only part one – which was initially reported as having 28 Months Later as its original title! This title change hints toward longer-lasting events with its plot being already finished; the first of three installments showcases impressive potential. Fiennes’ update only brings even more excitement for those big reveals, all involving that unexpected combination of action, human drama, and that awesome technological innovation using a unique camera setup. Get ready! Those initial plot elements alone suggest an incredible rollercoaster of an experience!