Will There Be a ’28 Years Later’ Part 3? Confirmation, Cast, & Everything We Know

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Good news for fans of 28 Days Later! Because 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple has done so well, the studio is confident in the future of the series. A third movie is now officially in the works. Sony is actively developing the project, and Alex Garland, who wrote the original, is returning. Plus, Cillian Murphy is being considered to play his famous character, Jim, suggesting they’re planning a final movie to complete the trilogy.

This isn’t a typical sequel made just to make money. Director Garland and producer Boyle always planned this as a three-part story. Unlike most studios, Sony isn’t waiting for box office results – they’re responding to positive reviews, enthusiastic fans, and the fact that The Bone Temple has genuinely breathed new life into the series, something very few older horror franchises achieve.

How ‘The Bone Temple’ Paved the Way for a Third Film


Sony Pictures

When 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple releases in mid-January 2026, it’s already receiving a lot of positive attention. Critics particularly love it, giving it a 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes – higher than the previous two films in the series. Some are saying it’s the best critical reception the franchise has seen since the original 28 Days Later came out in 2002.

The strong initial response to the films was important. According to Deadline, Sony decided to move forward with 28 Years Later 3 as early reactions to The Bone Temple came in. However, the third film wasn’t automatically approved. While 28 Years Later and The Bone Temple were filmed consecutively, reports indicate that the decision to make a third film depended on whether The Bone Temple resonated with audiences beyond just capitalizing on the existing brand name.

The third movie is officially in development, though it doesn’t have a title or release date yet. Alex Garland is writing the script, continuing his involvement throughout the entire modern trilogy, and fans can expect this film to be a satisfying conclusion to the story.

Returning Cast for ’28 Years Later’ Part 3


Sony Pictures Releasing

 

The biggest news about 28 Years Later 3 is Cillian Murphy’s return. Having been an executive producer on 28 Years Later, Murphy will reprise his role as Jim in the third film. He made a quick appearance in The Bone Temple, making his full return a satisfying conclusion to the story that started in 2002.

While Cillian Murphy admits his part in The Bone Temple isn’t extensive, he’s been vocal about wanting viewers to support the film so the planned trilogy can finish. The movie also features a strong cast – including Alfie Williams as Spike, Erin Kellyman as Kelly, Chi Lewis-Parry as Samson, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Jamie – who are all likely to be back for future installments.

We still don’t have official details about the plot of 28 Years Later 3, but the novel The Bone Temple gives us some strong hints. The second movie ends with Jim, played by Cillian Murphy, raising a young daughter, which makes us wonder how he survived for so long after the outbreak. The story doesn’t explain what happened to Selena, played by Naomi Harris, leaving us to question if she’s the girl’s mother or if she died sometime after the original 28 Days Later.

As a huge fan, I’m really hoping we see Jim and his daughter back as the central figures in the next film. I’d love to see how their story continues, maybe even crossing paths with Spike and Kelly after that intense rescue attempt at the end of The Bone Temple. It would also be fantastic to revisit Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Jamie and the people of Holy Island – they were missing from the second movie, and their story feels unfinished in the overall trilogy. I’m keeping my fingers crossed they get some focus!

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Let’s talk about Samson. Seeing him seemingly cured before Dr. Kelson died was a huge moment, hinting that a real treatment is possible. As a viewer, I’m really hoping Samson holds the key to how that cure happened. If he remembers the process, it could be absolutely crucial to resolving the story in the final chapter. It’s a potentially major plot point, and I’m eager to see if the writers capitalize on it.

When ’28 Years Later 3′ Could Be Released

The movie 28 Days Later had a huge impact, significantly shaping the direction of zombie films and inspiring popular projects like The Walking Dead, Zombieland, and A Quiet Place. Now, with The Bone Temple considered a standout sequel, anticipation is very high for the third film. Although Sony hasn’t announced when it will begin production or be released, if past releases are any indication, we can likely expect to see it in theaters around 2027 or 2028.

The studio will likely wait to see how well 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple performs in theaters before scheduling the next film. However, with the script in progress and key actors already on board, the third movie is mostly a question of when it will happen. Danny Boyle’s potential return as director hasn’t been confirmed, but the involvement of both him and writer Alex Garland suggests a film that will explore difficult themes of trauma, survival, and difficult choices. Ultimately, 28 Years Later 3 will determine if humanity can find a cure for the Rage or if it will be consumed by it forever.



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2026-01-18 01:18