What’s happening with the third 28 Years Later?
28 Years Later was planned to be a trilogy of sequels to the original 28 Days Later. Unfortunately, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple only grossed $56.9 million worldwide on a $63 million production budget. As a surprise for fans of Boyle’s original film, Cillian Murphy’s Jim shows up at the end, suggesting the third and final film will loop back to his ongoing journey. It’s an exciting setup for a franchise finale. However, casual audiences didn’t exactly vibe with Bone Temple‘s focus on existential and philosophical themes, forgoing action for a cinematic thinkpiece about life after mass extinction.
Cillian Murphy on the next 28 Years Later
According to Deadline, a third chapter to follow 28 Years Later: Bone Temple is already in the works. Although it was suggested that Murphy’s story could be a focus in the finale, it hasn’t yet been announced what the official plot will be. So, is Cillian Murphy set to return for the third entry in the 28 Years Later trilogy? In a profile with The Times, Murphy addressed the situation simply by saying, “Hope so! I’m ready anyway.”
Murphy would also address the rumors that he may be playing Voldemort in the upcoming HBO television incarnation of the Harry Potter series. The Peaky Blinders star would state plainly, “I’m categorically not.” He goes on to talk about how he doesn’t know how he even became associated with the project, “Being a personality is not what I am good at. But then existing in this world? Talking about yourself, going on f***ing red carpets? It’s not healthy if you start to believe this shit, and I’m really bad at it too. I’m an incredibly average person, really.”
Bone Temple’s reception
While 28 Years Later: Bone Temple didn’t do big business at the box office (perhaps casual movie-going audiences weren’t aware of the trilogy plan and felt blindsided by another sequel) our Chris Bumbray is one who felt Bone Temple greatly improved on the first 28 Years Later. He said in his review, “I really was shocked by how much I enjoyed 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which I found compelling from start to finish. The cast is great, with O’Connell and Fiennes in top form, while Mayor of Kingstown’s Emma Laird also pops up in a great part as one of the more evil members of the gang (whereas Willow star Erin Kellyman is one of the more humane members — and similarly effective). Heck, even if you REALLY didn’t like the last one, give this one a shot. It’s such a huge improvement you’ll barely believe it.”
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