Current Status of 28 Years Later
The next movie in the 28 Days Later franchise is officially titled 28 Years Later. Fox Searchlight Pictures, a subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios, is developing the sequel after acquiring the rights through its purchase of 21st Century Fox assets. Danny Boyle, the director of the original 2002 film, is attached to direct the project. The screenplay is being written by Alex Garland, who wrote the scripts for 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later, according to recent industry reports Forbes.
As of the latest public filings and trade news, the film is in early development with no official release date confirmed. The project is listed as an active production in development at Fox Searchlight Pictures, and no greenlight for full-scale production has been publicly announced. The budget, shooting locations, and principal photography start dates have not been disclosed by the studio or the production team.
Cast, Characters, and Story Direction
Jodie Comer has been cast in a lead role, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson also attached to star. The story is expected to continue the outbreak timeline decades after the original events, exploring a world where the Rage virus has evolved or resurfaced. The narrative structure and specific character arcs remain confidential, though the project is described as a continuation of the franchise rather than a reboot.
Production Team and Creative Leads
Danny Boyle will direct the film, with Alex Garland writing the screenplay. The production is being overseen by Fox Searchlight Pictures in coordination with the original creative team. No other directors, writers, or producers have been officially confirmed by the studio or the talent attached to the project.
Release Timeline and Industry Context
Fox Searchlight Pictures has not announced a theatrical release window for 28 Years Later. The film is not listed on major studio release calendars for the current fiscal year, and no official announcement of a start date for principal photography has been made. The project is progressing through script development and pre-production planning stages.
The global box office performance of prior entries in the franchise provides a benchmark for the new film. The original 2002 film grossed over $82 million worldwide on a $8 million budget, and 28 Weeks Later earned approximately $64 million worldwide. These figures are tracked by industry data platforms and inform studio decisions on marketing spend and release strategy Box Office Mojo. The film will compete in the horror and thriller market alongside other franchise sequels and original IP releases.
How to Follow Official Updates
Investors and fans can monitor updates through SEC filings by Walt Disney Company and Fox Searchlight Pictures, as well as official announcements from the studio and the talent involved. Trade publications and financial analysts track development milestones for major studio slates, including Fox Searchlight projects SEC EDGAR. No financial forecasts or revenue projections for 28 Years Later have been published by analysts or the company.