Director Danny Boyle is known for his electrifying, genre-bending films, from the gritty energy of Trainspotting to the global phenomenon Slumdog Millionaire. Now, as he returns to the world of the infected with 28 Years Later, the Oscar-winning filmmaker is opening up about ambitious trilogy plans, pivotal career choices, and memorable on-set moments that even made Pixar animators faint.
In a wide-ranging interview, Boyle reflected on a career sparked by a childhood trip to the cinema and defined by a kinetic style applied to everything from zombie thrillers (28 Days Later) and sci-fi (Sunshine) to true-life survival (127 Hours) and feel-good musicals (Yesterday).
Revitalizing the Infected: The Road to a 28 Years Later Trilogy
More than two decades after he and writer Alex Garland redefined the zombie genre with the low-budget 28 Days Later, Boyle is back with a highly anticipated sequel, 28 Years Later. The original film, born from Garland’s novel The Beach and Boyle’s directorial vision (famously expanding a single script sentence about walking through empty London into an iconic sequence), created a new standard for credible, terrifying infected with their “mass velocity” and visceral impact. Boyle recalls using early digital cameras to quickly capture eerie, deserted London streets in the pre-dawn hours, navigating technical challenges that sometimes reduced Cillian Murphy to “two green squares” on screen. He also vividly remembers filming on 9/11, noting how the unfolding global events profoundly impacted the mood and nature of the movie they were making.
After years of toying with sequel ideas, Boyle and Garland surprised Hollywood by bringing not one, but two new scripts to market in early 2024. A heated bidding war ensued, ultimately won by Sony, which committed to filming 28 Years Later and a second sequel, titled 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, back-to-back. Sony film boss Tom Rothman highlighted the potent combination of Boyle and Garland as the irresistible draw, viewing the project as part of the studio’s “auteur horror” strategy, emphasizing filmmaker-driven genre films.
This ambitious plan paves the way for a potential trilogy, contingent on the success of the first two installments. The decision to shoot back-to-back was driven by logistical and financial needs, particularly the desire to film in expensive, remote areas of England. However, this schedule meant Boyle couldn’t direct both; he helmed 28 Years Later, while Nia DaCosta took the director’s chair for The Bone Temple. Boyle praised DaCosta, noting she was clear from the outset that she would make her movie, not a “Danny Boyle movie,” and that her strong vision resonated with the cast. Boyle confirms his intention to direct the third film if funding materializes, wryly calling it “the plan” while acknowledging the universe’s tendency to laugh at such pronouncements.
New Infection: Plot, Premiere Buzz & Critical Reception
28 Years Later is set nearly three decades post-outbreak, focusing on a small community surviving off the coast of Northumbria. The plot centers on a father (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his son (Alfie Williams) whose isolated existence is disrupted when they seek help for the boy’s ailing mother (Jodie Comer), risking everything to find potential aid on the mainland. Cillian Murphy is confirmed to return as Jim from the original film in The Bone Temple and serves as an executive producer on both sequels.
The film premiered in London with a biohazard theme, generating buzz about Boyle’s goal to make the sequel as original as the first, complete with “upgrades on the infected.” Star Jodie Comer found the horror surprisingly moving, praising the script’s richness and focus on a unique family dynamic, while newcomer Alfie Williams lauded Boyle’s creative and experimental approach.
Early critical reception for 28 Years Later has been largely positive, with many critics praising it as more than a simple cash-grab. Reviewers highlighted its success in deepening the established world and finding new thematic relevance. Critics noted allegorical commentary on current political landscapes, anxiety over nationalism, and the experience of a generation growing up amidst chaos. The film’s world-building was appreciated for exploring how the infected ecosystem evolves, lingering human traits, and even a potential “zombie pecking order.”
Stylistically, Boyle’s signature approach was noted – described by some as throwing “a lot of things into a blender,” utilizing techniques like freeze frames and a sometimes “disjointed” linear editing style to prioritize sensation. Despite some reservations about the narrative potentially feeling fragmented by its role setting up a trilogy, many found significant substance, pointing to surprisingly tender moments, reflections on mortality, and positioning the film as potentially leaning towards post-apocalyptic anthropology alongside its intense horror and dread. The compelling elements introduced are seen by some as promising for future installments.
Career Reflections: From Casting Gambles to Fainting Audiences
Beyond the infected universe, Boyle shared insights into other career milestones:
Trusting His Actors: Boyle recounted casting Ewan McGregor in Trainspotting, noting McGregor’s charisma and “incredible hair.” McGregor demonstrated his commitment by shaving his head and losing weight before being offered the part, proving he understood the character Renton better than the director initially did. Similarly, Cillian Murphy convinced Boyle he could portray the “raging” character needed in 28 Days Later by simply stating, “I come from Cork,” referencing the Irish city’s reputation for producing “fighting men” and asking Boyle to trust him to find that intensity.
Turning Down Alien: Following Trainspotting‘s success, Boyle was offered Alien Resurrection but declined. He met with stars Sigourney Weaver and Winona Ryder, but ultimately felt he wasn’t the “right guy” due to his discomfort with the increasing reliance on CG technology at the time. He opted for A Life Less Ordinary instead, which flopped for the same studio.
The 127 Hours Incident: Riding the wave of confidence after winning Best Picture for Slumdog Millionaire, Boyle tackled the challenging 127 Hours, a film he believes “wouldn’t have got made” otherwise. The infamous scene where James Franco’s character cuts off his arm was technically brilliant with prosthetics, but Boyle notes that the frequent audience fainting (including a memorable incident at a Pixar screening where ambulances were waiting outside) wasn’t just due to the gore, but powerfully triggered by Franco’s raw, intense acting in that moment.
Yesterday‘s Profound Moment: Boyle felt including the scene imagining an elderly John Lennon was essential to Richard Curtis’ delightful script for Yesterday, seeing it as a profound moment that many actors were eager to play due to Lennon’s significance.
While he briefly flirted with directing a James Bond film in the past, Boyle humorously notes they “haven’t been banging at my door” recently.
Through a career marked by bold choices and collaborative spirit, Danny Boyle remains a dynamic force. As 28 Years Later hits theaters and the groundwork is laid for further chapters, his blend of visual flair, thematic depth, and trust in his instincts continues to captivate audiences and critics alike. The potential for a full trilogy adds an exciting new dimension to one of modern horror’s most impactful creations.
