Sony's Cold Feet: Will the ‘28 Years Later' Trilogy Stall Before the Finish Line?
Imagine this: You're deep in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, fighting for survival, when suddenly… the screen fades to black. No resolution. No ending. Just unanswered questions. That's exactly what could happen with Danny Boyle's much-anticipated 28 Years Later trilogy.
Sony, the studio that won a heated bidding war to produce all three films, has hit the brakes on financing the trilogy's third installment. And despite the franchise's loyal following, it seems like the fate of the final chapter rests on the almighty dollar.
What's the Hold-Up?
At CinemaCon, Boyle revealed that while 28 Years Later and its sequel, The Bone Temple, have already been shot, Sony Pictures CEO Tom Rothman has yet to greenlight the third film. The reason? Cold, hard cash.
“We've finished the first film, we've shot the second, however, we don't have financing for the third film,” Boyle told the audience, urging them to show up in theaters and “support the continuing apocalypse.”
Translation: If 28 Years Later flops at the box office, don't expect a trilogy finale.
A Risky Bet on a Cult Classic
Here's the thing—28 Days Later (2002) revolutionized the zombie horror genre. It took a tired trope, injected it with breakneck pacing, raw digital cinematography, and a terrifyingly plausible viral outbreak.
Then came 28 Weeks Later (2007), which upped the ante with a bigger budget and a bleaker narrative. But despite its cult status, it wasn't a box office juggernaut. And now, in an era where horror franchises like The Conjuring rake in millions, Sony isn't sure if a 28 Years Later trilogy is worth the risk.
A $75M Gamble on a Smartphone-Shot Film
Adding to the intrigue, Boyle filmed 28 Years Later on an iPhone 15, making it the most expensive smartphone-shot film ever. His cinematographer, Anthony Dod Mantle, has a history of pushing digital boundaries (see Slumdog Millionaire and 127 Hours). But will a $75 million, smartphone-shot horror film resonate with mainstream audiences?
Sony seems unsure.
The Nia DaCosta Factor: A Wild Card for the Franchise
Then there's 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta (The Marvels). The film wrapped production last fall and is set for a January 2026 release—historically, a dumping ground for studios with low expectations.
DaCosta is a talented filmmaker, but given that The Marvels underperformed, it's fair to wonder if she's the right person to shepherd the 28 Years Later legacy. If The Bone Temple struggles at the box office, it could be the final nail in the coffin for the trilogy's third chapter.
What Happens If the Trilogy Dies?
If Sony pulls the plug, 28 Years Later risks becoming another half-finished cinematic saga—joining the ranks of The Amazing Spider-Man series and Guillermo del Toro's Hellboy 3, both abandoned mid-story.
However, Boyle's call to action suggests there's still hope. If horror fans show up for 28 Years Later, Sony might just loosen the purse strings.
Should Fans Be Worried?
Yes and no. The first film's mid-range budget and strong trailer buzz suggest a solid opening. But the sequel's January release date is a red flag.
The fate of the 28 Years Later trilogy isn't sealed yet, but one thing's clear—if the first two films don't deliver at the box office, we may never see the apocalypse's true conclusion.
Would you be disappointed if the trilogy never gets its third film? Sound off in the comments.
