Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later is out now in cinemas, but what may surprise some cinema-goers is the ending.
The film concluded with Spike coming across Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal and his Jimmies cult, who will be a big part of the second film, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, next year.
The sequel was shot back-to-back with the first film and is written once again by Alex Garland, but with Nia DaCosta directing instead of Boyle.
Speaking at a recent EMPIRE Q&A, the latter teased of the second film: “You can expect a lot of Jack O’Connell [Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal] and a lot of Ralph Fiennes [Dr Ian Kelson] and a lot of Chi Lewis-Parry [Alpha] and a lot of the Jimmies.”
Boyle has also confirmed that just as the Jimmies cameoed at the end of 28 Years Later before starring in The Bone Temple, Cillian Murphy’s Jim (last seen in 28 Days Later) will feature briefly at the conclusion of the second movie before starring in 28 Years Later 3. The director shared: “I have seen this bit of The Bone Temple where he’s reintroduced and it is excellent. And yeah, the whole idea of the third film is that it’ll be a film very much dominated by him. It’s been mapped out as a scenario. It’s just not been written yet.”
Asked if Naomie Harris will reprise her 28 Days Later character in the third film, Boyle replied: “At the moment it’s just Cillian.” The filmmaker has also confirmed he will direct this final movie in the trilogy, but has said it’s not been green-lit just yet, as Sony are waiting to see what budget to approve it based on how well 28 Years Later does at the box office this summer.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple hits cinemas on January 16, 2026.