Each Alternate Ending of ‘28 Days Later’ Explained, and How They Impact ‘28 Years Later’

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For several decades, the zombie apocalypse subcategory within horror has been well-established, with George A. Romero’s groundbreaking film “Night of the Living Dead” frequently cited as its inception. However, when it comes to outstanding zombie movies, none may surpass Danny Boyle’s 2002 production, the gripping horror film titled “28 Days Later.” This British post-apocalyptic movie revolves around a character named Jim (played by Cillian Murphy), who finds himself awake after a 28-day coma, discovering London to be a haunting wasteland. The plot unfolds as a rage virus, transmitted through infected monkeys from a research facility, sweeps rapidly across England.

The movie has been a beloved choice in its genre for more than two decades by many, due to several factors. It offers a heart-wrenching narrative centered around loss, sorrow, terror, and despair. The ordeal experienced by Jim and his fellow survivors is harrowingly emotional and filled with tragedy. They witness countless individuals falling victim to the virus, and at their most vulnerable moments, they’re given false hopes of salvation. Despite being a film about rage-induced creatures, it portrays an incredibly human story. Additionally, it boasts some of the quickest zombies ever seen on the big screen, which intensifies the already unsettling monsters.

The final scene of the movie leaves a glimmer of optimism since Jim and his companions are spotted by an aircraft. Interestingly, the creators filmed three distinct conclusions that portray various outcomes for Jim and his comrades. These alternate endings significantly alter the narrative and the character development arcs. Given that “28 Years Later” is scheduled for release this summer, these alternative endings could also influence the direction of the new movie, taking into account Cillian Murphy’s role in the upcoming film and its future installments. Here, we will examine each ending and discuss their potential repercussions on the upcoming motion picture.

’28 Days Later’ Had 4 Potential Endings

The final scene of the movie unfolds in two distinct parts. Initially, spectators witness Jim being shot, followed by a blackout. It seems for a brief instant that the storyline will conclude with an intense cliffhanger. However, unexpectedly, the screen springs back to life, displaying moments of Selena attempting to revive Jim. The phrase “28 Days Later” emerges, and subsequently, we see Jim awakening in a bed, later stepping outside to reunite with Selena and Hannah as they signal a passing aircraft. This ending shares similarities with the movie’s opening sequence where Jim is found awake in another bed, 28 days after the virus outbreak began.

Initially, Boyle contemplated three different conclusions before deciding on the one featured in the final version of the movie. What’s already a sad story would have been even more grim if an alternate ending he conceived had been used. As the story progresses, it becomes increasingly dark and dismal, testing both the characters and viewers emotionally. The death of Hannah’s loving father, who was infected by the virus, was particularly heart-wrenching as he transformed from a caring parent into a ferocious monster.

Later, it came to light that Major West and his associates had tricked survivors with a deceitful promise of salvation, intending to attract women. In Boyle’s original conclusion, Selena, Hannah, and Jim were led to their demise. However, test audiences found this ending far too grim and distressing given the heavy dose of sorrow already depicted in the story. As a result, Boyle altered the ending to the one we recognize today.

2 Alternate Endings Confirm Jim Didn’t Survive

Two alternative endings for the movie could have signaled that Jim didn’t make it. In one of these scenarios, filmed but not originally used, Selena and Hannah are found in red dresses given by Major West and his troops. They frantically attempt to revive Jim on an operating table as Hannah recites medications to Selena. Regardless of their best efforts, Jim ultimately succumbs on the table, leaving Hannah and Selena alone.

In the initial stages, Boyle’s planned ending for 28 Days Later differed significantly from what was eventually filmed due to budget constraints. With an $8 million budget, production came to a halt just as Boyle was about to complete the movie. This unclear ending, often referred to as the ‘freeze-frame’ ending, was a last resort because the funds had run out. In this version, the film would have stopped at the moment Hannah crashed the taxi into the gates, leaving viewers hanging. Luckily, when Boyle presented this ending to the studio, they agreed to increase the budget, allowing him to deliver a more fitting conclusion to the movie.

Danny Boyle Almost Went With a Very Different Ending

In a different version of events, instead of the violent scenes involving Major West’s military unit being shown in the final act as released in cinemas, it was planned that the story would conclude with Jim and his companions. In this scenario, after Frank turned infected, Jim would have subdued him and taken him to a secret lab. A scientist hiding there would have informed Jim that a complete blood transfusion could cure the rage virus. This revelation would have led Jim to make the selfless decision to sacrifice himself, allowing Hannah to be reunited with her father. With his blood drained and donated to Frank, Jim would have perished in the lab.

Regardless of whether Frank survived and became Hannah’s father, the outcome would have been marred by tragedy due to Jim’s demise. Shortly after conceptualizing this ending, Boyle discarded it, opting not to proceed with its execution. He stated that the idea was illogical because, given the rampant contagion of the rage virus, a blood transfusion as a means to cure it seemed oversimplified and implausible. This reasoning was detailed in the bonus content on the DVD as a commentary feature.

How the Endings Can Impact ’28 Years Later’

Despite the release of the initial trailer for the movie titled “28 Years Later“, the storyline remains shrouded in secrecy. The sneak peek presents a world reminiscent of the one portrayed in the original production, where survivors struggle to thrive amidst a desolate landscape tainted by rage-driven creatures. Moreover, it appears that religious sects have emerged since the initial virus outbreak. Given that Cillian Murphy is expected to reprise his character and with newcomers Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes joining the cast, the movie may take several intriguing directions.

It’s plausible that we might see flashbacks featuring Jim, potentially altering the ending of “28 Days Later.” However, it seems more likely that the alternate endings will stay as they are, and the upcoming movie will adhere to the original film’s ending. This means that in the new film, Jim is assumed to have survived, and the events depicted in the cinema release will serve as a foundation for the sequel.

From my perspective as a fan, it seems that characters like Naomie Harris’ Selena and Megan Burns’ Hannah may not make an appearance in the upcoming film, leaving their post-“28 Days Later” fates uncertain. If Jim plays a significant role in the new movie, it remains to be seen how this will tie into the storyline or affect him. However, given that the theatrical cut is expected to serve as the foundation for “28 Years Later,” it’s reasonable to assume that this version will set the stage for the continuation of their story.

28 Years Later hits theaters June 20th, 2025.

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2025-01-12 22:01