28 Years Later Star Resurrects Threequel Talk
28 Years Later star Alfie Williams has sparked fan speculation of a third film in the trilogy sequel series to Danny Boyle’s original horror series through a social media post. The actor, who plays 12-year-old Spike in the post-apocalyptic coming-of-age films, posted a picture to his Instagram page holding a bow and arrow with the caption “It’s great to be back.”
His character dons the same weapon in the first and second 28 Years Later, prompting fans to assume a third film is in the works.
28 Years Later was released in 2025 by director Boyle as the third film in the 28 Days Later franchise (although the second instalment’s ending went forgotten in the follow-up). It stars Williams alongside Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Jack O’Connell, and Ralph Fiennes, in a story penned by Alex Garland about a young boy who still has to face a man-made ritual to claim a sense of masculinity and acceptance in his home village, as the rage virus has devastated all beyond it and created a swarm of the vicious infected. The film made $151 million worldwide from a budget of $60 million, earning a Rotten Tomatoes rank of 88%.
Boyle’s film was followed by a direct sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, by Candyman director Nia DaCosta, seeing Williams, O’Connell and Fiennes reprise their roles, joined by newcomers Erin Kellyman and Chi Lewis-Parry. DaCosta’s take on the franchise sees a more human side of the infected discovered by Fiennes’ character as Williams’ Spike is kidnapped by a barbaric cult led by O’Connell’s Sir Jimmy, all while other infected still hunt for prey.
Despite generating some of the most positive reviews in the series, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple undergrossed its $63 million budget by $4.5 million (making $92.5 million less than the previous film), prompting its director to voice disappointment, sharing that she was “happy that when people find the film, they’re going to enjoy the film,” yet still wishes it “made more money, but I’m really proud of it.”
The Bone Temple’s underperformance has compromised a third film’s release.
Meanwhile, the first film was released back in 2002 and starred Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccleston, Megan Burns, and Brendan Gleeson, presenting the beginning of the rage virus and the terrifying first days of the societal corrosion it caused. Inspired by horror maestro George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead horror film franchise and John Wyndham’s 1951 book The Day of the Triffids, director Boyle took a budget of $8 million and utilised grainy, handheld cameras to capture a hopeless world and rejuvenated the zombie sub-genre in one of horror’s most prolific and influential releases.
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