Danny Boyle said they hope to begin filming the third 28 Years Later film next year, adding, "We ran out of time this year – we literally ran out of time. So it’ll be, hopefully, next year."
The remark follows renewed public curiosity about the franchise after Alfie Williams posted a video of himself practising archery about three weeks before Boyle’s comments, a tease that many fans read as early movement on the next installment of 28 years later. That curiosity has been sharpened by the series’ uneven box-office returns and strong streaming performance, leaving audiences eager for a concrete timetable.
Boyle gave three concrete reasons for the delay: the production simply ran out of time this year; much of the new film is set in an area of Britain "you can only film in certain times of the year"; and the creative team remains committed—he praised Alex Garland, saying, "Alex (Garland) has done a wonderful script for it." Those three facts together explain why the project stalled this season and why Boyle is setting next year as the target.
The studio-side risk keeps the story from being tidy. The second film, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, earned just over $58 million worldwide, well short of the $151 million haul for its predecessor, and that box-office gap left the future of a follow-up uncertain even as the series continued to attract attention on streaming platforms. All four films in the franchise have been critically acclaimed, and the 28 Days Later titles have been topping streaming charts—evidence that audiences are watching even if theatre returns have cooled.
There is also a human element that makes the timeline matter to fans: the next film is expected to bring back Cillian Murphy’s character from the original. Murphy has said he would be excited to return "if he is asked," but Boyle has not announced any casting decisions. That unresolved casting question sits next to the seasonal filming constraint and the production’s limited window this year, which together explain why Boyle’s commitment is deliberately cautious—"hopefully, next year."
The practical consequence is straightforward. Boyle has a script from Garland and a target window for shooting; he has acknowledged the clock ran out this year and that weather and location limit when crews can work in parts of Britain. What comes next is a production schedule and a firm start date. Until a shooting date is filed and casting is confirmed, the project remains a planned start rather than an active shoot.
Boyle’s statement is the clearest production update the franchise has had since the underperformance of The Bone Temple made the series’ commercial future uncertain. He has set next year as the working target; Garland’s script exists; Williams’ archery clip suggested early movement; and Murphy has signalled willingness. But whether filming will actually begin next year and whether Murphy will be asked to return are the single practical questions that must be answered before hope becomes commitment.
