'28 Years Later' – Nia DaCosta negotiates to direct second part of the new trilogy

The film was announced last January 28 Years Latera long-awaited sequel to 28 Days Laterwith the return of Danny Boyle y Alex Garlanddirector and screenwriter respectively of the zombie horror hit.

But be careful, this is not just a sequel. The plan is that 28 Years Later be the starting engine of a new trilogy, with Garland as screenwriter of the three films, and with Boyle as director of the first installment. Both will produce alongside the original's producer, Andrew Macdonald, and Peter Rice. In recent weeks the attractive “package” was acquired by Sony Picturesafter an important bid with other Hollywood studios.

Thus, with Boyle secured as director of the first film, the studio is in an intense search for the work of the second film and according to reports from Deadline, it is Nia DaCosta (Candyman, The Marvels) who He is holding talks to direct the second installment of the trilogy.

The source details:

“Although the exact dates are unknown, Sources say the plan is for Boyle to direct the first film later this year, with the second filming immediately afterward, which is why Sony is moving quickly to secure that second director. This way, directors can agree on where they see the story going while also bringing their own unique visions to each film. Garland will write each installment.”

The protagonist of the original film, Cillian Murphy, is back in an executive producer role, and possibly with an acting role in the project, although it was previously commented that these details “are currently in quarantine.”

In the original movie, 28 Days Later (2022) Murphy plays Jim, a man who wakes up from a coma after a cycling accident, to discover that England is now a desolate, post-apocalyptic meltdown, thanks to a virus that turned its victims into raging killers. Jim then meets a survivor played by Naomie Harris, and a military maniac, played by Christopher Eccleston.

Previously, Murphy spoke about reprising his role as Jim saying: “I can't reveal much more at this time. But I have always said that I would love to participate because that film changed everything for me and I have great affection for it and for those boys, Alex [Garland] y Danny [Boyle]. “I never watch my own movies except that one.”

In addition to becoming a commercial hit, the original film injected new life into the zombie subgenre, presenting a new form of undead, moving away from those slow walkers, now being ferocious and fast. He also analyzed the fragile nature of society in these pandemic scenarios, which would later be analyzed in other films such as Zombieland, World War Zand the series The Walking Deadamong others.

In 2007, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo directed the sequel 28 Weeks Later, starring Jeremy Renner: “Six months after the rage virus inflicts the population of Britain, the American military helps secure a small area of ​​London for survivors to repopulate and start anew. But not everything goes as planned.”

The idea of ​​a new installment has been in the plans of those involved for many years. At some point, it would be titled 28 Months Later.

In addition to directing and writing Little Woods, Candyman y The MarvelsDaCosta wrote, directed and produced Hedda for MGM Orion Pictures, with Tessa Thompson in the lead role. This film is currently in post-production.