After Danny Boyle Revealed More About 28 Years Later’s Story, I Have More Questions About The Franchise Canon

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I can’t overstate how excited I am about the upcoming 2025 movie lineup, especially since it includes the much-anticipated continuation of “28 Years Later”, a series I hold dear as a fan.

I’ve been keeping a close eye on all the latest developments, and one particular piece of news has caught my attention as something potentially confusing. With the anticipation already high about how 28 Weeks Later will be influenced by Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s upcoming legacy-quel, some newly released plot details have sparked even more questions regarding the franchise continuity.

What Danny Boyle Has Said About 28 Years Later’s Story

Sequels that consider the narrative of their predecessors can be quite engaging. Hence, when I noticed Empire magazine discussing where the story of “28 Years Later” is heading, my curiosity was piqued. Regarding Danny Boyle’s insights into how this upcoming trilogy will handle the existing plotline, here’s what he shared:

It was a wholly different approach. It was about what that 28 years gives you.

I find the additional information about our potential main characters, Jamie (played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson), Isla (portrayed by Jodie Comer), and Spike (Alfie Williams) along with their family, intriguing. However, it’s the fact that they seem to be part of a unique version of the UK that has me slightly hesitant.

Apart from the entire nation being under lockdown from other countries, it seems like “the remainder of the planet” is experiencing minimal effects from the Rage Virus. This situation brings me to my initial question related to the “28 Days Later” series, a query that stands out as particularly intriguing, if not puzzling: How come the virus spreads so rapidly within the country but seems contained elsewhere on Earth?

Is 28 Weeks Later About To Become Soft Canon?

Without giving away details for those yet to watch 28 Weeks Later, by the end of the 2007 sequel to 28 Days Later, it’s clear that the virus had indeed abandoned merry old England. The haunting conclusion, directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, shows an army of Infected charging through underground tunnels and eventually standing before the iconic Eiffel Tower, creating a chilling ending to the movie.

However, following this recent development in the “28 Years Later” narrative, it’s not clear if the events depicted in “28 Weeks Later” should be considered canonical. It is possible but not definitive that France managed to contain and eradicate the Rage Virus within its borders, which could make “28 Weeks Later” a non-canonical event.

As a movie enthusiast who appreciated the story guidelines set forth in David Koepp’s Jurassic franchise, I can’t help but express hope that Alex Garland hasn’t abandoned the world of 28 Weeks Later entirely. Considering the potential for another 28 Years Later narrative, it seems more fitting to preserve that storyline as it could serve as a crucial foundation for further development.

Could 28 Weeks Later’s Important Contribution To 28 Years Later’s Story Still Remain?

In the promotional material accompanying the trailer for “28 Years Later,” a word seems to recur frequently: mutation. This is concerning when dealing with a virus as lethal as Rage. As hinted in the initial sneak peeks of this upcoming horror flick, it looks like a new strain of the Rage Virus could be on the loose, potentially granting some Infected individuals an intimidating physical presence.

In light of this concern, there’s a question about whether the current standing of “28 Weeks Later” within the canon can still accommodate its significant contribution to “28 Years Later”. The possibility that the Rage Virus mutated following the events of “Weeks” is quite plausible given the surprising twist: the gene for heterochromia might enable an individual to act as a silent carrier.

In simpler terms, the second wave of the outbreak from Weeks ago could potentially account for the fresh mutations seen in 28 Years Later. Even if we don’t delve into the specifics of what might have transpired with the survivors of this uncertainly canonical journey, just knowing that such an event took place would suffice.

Can We Get An Official Ruling On Whether Selena’s 28 Days Later Sequel Comic Is Canon?

Let’s discuss the survivors from the movie “28 Days Later.” We’ll take a step back in time, to when the film was recently released, and the characters known as The Manchester Three – Hannah (Megan Burns), Selena (Naomie Harris) and Jim (Cillian Murphy) – were found by a Finnish-speaking pilot. There’s a significant period between the release of the film in 2002 and now, which leaves us uncertain about what has become of Hannah, Selena, and Jim.

The statement’s accuracy hinges on the response to the subsequent query: Is the sequel story of Selena, as portrayed by Boom! Studios, considered canonical or not? In essence, the tale in question, reminiscent of 28 Days Later, depicts our survivors enduring torments from both the infected and overly amorous military personnel.

In the movie “28 Weeks Later,” Selena seems to disappear for a while but is enticed to come back to the UK when London reopens. The ending suggests a more positive outcome for her as she departs for the U.S., just as chaos erupts in France. This leads me to question how my theory for “28 Years Later – The Bone Temple” would hold up if Selena were to return, given that it’s unlikely one would choose to go back to a dangerous area willingly. Would you?

How Will 28 Years Later Bring Jim Back?

Discussing the canonicity of the 2009-2011 comic sequel of “28 Weeks Later” raises another significant question, and it may even provide an answer. Specifically, Cillian Murphy’s confirmed return for “28 Years Later” is a question that has been lingering in my mind, at least temporarily alleviating other concerns. I suspect many fans are curious about this too, so let’s address the elephant in the room: how on earth could Jim make his comeback amidst the devastated United Kingdom?

If Boom! Studios’ 28 Days Later comic is considered canonical, then our protagonist was intended for execution due to his role in Major Henry West’s (Christopher Eccleston) demise. However, even if that incident remains as canon, it wouldn’t be unprecedented for the ex-bike messenger to have evaded a death sentence. It’s plausible that Jim managed to elude the grasp of the UK’s military and found refuge in a rural, secluded area.

It appears that the recent Reddit post, which allegedly features a set photo of Cillian Murphy filming for the “28 Years Later” trilogy, might indeed be true. If so, this could potentially hint at a secret filming day, perhaps for a cameo appearance in the 2026 movie “The Bone Temple,” given that Murphy won’t actually appear in “28 Years Later.

I plan on staying immersed in this mystery for a while longer, so expect me to continue unraveling these puzzles, which may lead to even more questions down the line. But here’s some good news: The first chapter of “28 Years Later” is due out on June 20th! So, I won’t have to search for long. If you’d like to join me in this exploration, feel free to rent the movies “28 Days Later” and “28 Years Later,” and let’s uncover these connections together. Or, you can choose to lead a typical, fulfilling life instead. It’s all up to you!

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2025-01-14 03:37