28 Years Later, the long, LONG awaited sequel to Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later, adds another to its cast of English talent today, with Deadline reporting that Jack O’Connell (Eden Lake, Skins, Ryan Coogler’s upcoming vampire horror) joining Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes in a leading role.
While O’Connell’s role is still under wraps, Deadline report that the actor “will play more of a supporting character in first film and more of a lead role in second.”
As we found out earlier this year, 28 Years Later marks the first in a planned trilogy from Sony Pictures, with Boyle directing the first from a script by Alex Garland (Ex Machina, Civil War, 28 Days Later), with Candyman‘s Nia DaCosta tapped to take on the second instalment. Boyle and Garland are also producing, as is original producers Andrew Macdonald and Peter Rice. Bernie Bellew is also producing.
Cillian Murphy, the star of 2002’s game-changing 28 Days Later, will serve as executive producer on at least the first instalment. The Hollywood Reporter previously noted that Murphy could possibly return to act in the new trilogy, although this has yet to be confirmed.
O’Connell is no stranger to the horror genre, having played the hostile and terrifying antagonist in James Watkins’ Eden Lake, as well as starring as the villain in Ryan Coogler’s upcoming vampire movie, where he will co-star opposite Michael B. Jordan. Deadline reports that O’Connell will shoot that film first and jump right into production on 28 Years Later.
With a slate of big names both in front and behind of the camera for the new 28 Years Later trilogy, a big budget is a must. THR also reported that the budget for each movie will be in the $60 million range – big bucks for a horror movie.
But given that 28 Days Later racked up $82 million at the global box office, on a budget of just $8 million, it’s clear that Sony has full faith in Boyle et al to deliver the goods.
28 Years Later, nor its following sequels, does not have a release date, but trust us when we say we are following this project with great interest. We’ll bring you updates as we get them.
