28 Years Later Brings Back Iconic Song—How Godspeed’s “East Hastings” Returned to the Series

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It’s likely that many of you have already heard the news – the new movie, “28 Years Later,” set to debut in 2025, is a fantastic cinematic journey, particularly when viewed in the 4DX format. Much like numerous critics who watched it ahead of its release (including Mike Reyes from TopMob, who awarded it a perfect 5-stars), I found very little to criticize about this film. One standout feature is its clever nod to “28 Days Later.” If you’re curious if I’m referring to Godspeed You! Black Emperor’s “East Hastings,” then you’d be spot on.

Reminiscing a song from my favorite band that I discovered over two decades back brings me back to tales about Danny Boyle managing to secure the rights for an anti-capitalist Canadian post-rock collective’s track for the memorable London scene in 28 Days Later. If you haven’t heard this story before, it’s quite fascinating…

Danny Boyle Shot The Iconic London Sequence First, And Put “East Hastings” While Editing The Scene

Discussing the movie “28 Days Later,” the topic often shifts towards the sequence where Cillian Murphy’s character, Jim, wanders through a deserted London. This scene, set post-zombie outbreak in England, was remarkably the first scene Danny Boyle filmed, as he shared in an interview with NME in June 2025. In this discussion, Boyle was curious about the music that influenced his film, and promptly mentioned:

I recall, as we filmed the initial scene a few months prior to the rest of the movie, and then assembled it with that particular track. Upon seeing it, you instantly felt, “Wow, this just clicks.” I don’t care about what others might say about whether it works or not, but such moments are quite uncommon.

It’s clear why Boyle found himself drawn to “East Hastings” by Godspeed You! Black Emperor and developed an instant connection with it. The song’s intensity aligns perfectly with the ominous and disordered atmosphere of the scene, intensifying the overall feeling before plunging viewers into the remainder of the film. Yet, securing the band’s agreement for its use proved challenging.

Boyle Had To Meet The Band And Persuade Them Because They Were ‘Suspicious About Fox’

Given the political and ideological leanings of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, both as individuals and as a band, it’s understandable that they were hesitant to allow Danny Boyle and Fox Searchlight Pictures (now known as Searchlight Pictures after Disney acquisition) to use their track in 28 Days Later, but the director was persistent.

In a June 2025 chat with Soundtrack Extra and Edith Bowman, Boyle mentioned that the band had been wary of Fox, the corporation that owned Searchlight at the time, and their suspicions were justified. But after visiting Newcastle to meet the band for dinner, Boyle managed to enlighten them about the movie’s setting and plot. Although the band ultimately agreed to it, they refused to include the track on the soundtrack, as revealed in a 2022 Guardian article detailing Godspeed’s growing fame.

However, It Was A Completely Different Story For 28 Years Later

Much like the chilling impact of “London” in 28 Days Later, the strategic employment of “East Hastings” in the climax of 28 Years Later left me spellbound, an unforgettable cinematic moment that lingers long in my memory. Fortunately, securing rights to use the track for this sequel proved less arduous for Danny Boyle and his team compared to the original film.

In the discussion previously cited, the director disclosed that this occasion was merely a casual dialogue and petition, with Godspeed You! Black Emperor agreeing to its utilization without any complications. However, please note that if you purchase the 28 Years Later soundtrack, you won’t find the track on it as it has been left out from the album once more.

Although “East Hastings” isn’t featured on the official soundtrack of “28 Years Later“, a standout record in recent times, you can listen to the iconic song on Godspeed You! Black Emperor’s timeless album titled “F#A#∞“.

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2025-06-25 14:08