Danny Boyle’s super successful zombie movie 28 Days Later starred Cillian Murphy, Christopher Eccleston, and Brendan Gleeson, and was released back in 2002. In 2007, way more than 28 weeks later, 28 Weeks Later followed. Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, the fairly successful sequel starred Rose Byrne, Jeremy Renner, Robert Carlyle, Idris Elba, and Imogen Poots. It told the story of another group of survivors. Many 28 months may have passed since then, but we might finally get a third movie in the series. Yeah, there might finally be a time and place for 28 Months Later.
During the promotion of his first directing gig Ex Machina, writer Alex Garland told the press that he has a story idea for a third movie. While he doesn’t want to be part of the production itself (he does not like sequels), he says franchise producer Andrew McDonald loved his proposed concept and is now actively developing it.
“…an idea for ’28 Months’ arrived. I had a sort of weird idea that popped into my head. Partly because of a trip I’d taken. I had this thought, and I suggested it to Andrew and Danny, but I also said I don’t want to work on it. I don’t really want to play a role, and Andrew said, ‘Leave it to me.’ So he’s gone off and is working on it.”
While both movies were pretty much typical zombie movies, the franchise always avoided the specific term zombie. Instead, people got infected with a rage-inducing virus which reached society when a bunch of animal rights activists freed the wrong lab chimps. Danny Boyle might stay on as a producer, but don’t expect him to direct. Actually, he’s currently preparing a sequel, but it won’t be this. It’ll be Trainspotting 2.
By the way, have you ever played Plague Inc. Evolved, or it’s flash-based original browser game Pandemic 2? It’s a mean little simulation of a deadly disease, enabling you to eradicate all of mankind with an unstoppable plague. It’s fun!