28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is the highly anticipated sequel to 2025’s 28 Years Later, and here is everything we know about the upcoming film, including its cast, story, release date, and more. Fans of 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later had to wait years for another sequel, with the franchise being dormant since its 2007 entry. However, when news of a sequel finally came, it was a big deal. 2025’s 28 Years Later is actually the start of a new trilogy, with 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple being the second entry in this new saga.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple will bridge the gap between 28 Years Later and the unтιтled third film. Since 28 Years Later was only released in June 2025, very little is known about the sequel as of the writing of this article. However, director Danny Boyle, writer Alex Garland, and others involved in the new trilogy have already given some hints about the film’s production. So, here is everything that there is to know about 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and the future of the 28 Days Later franchise.

The Latest 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple News

Cillian Murphy Is Officially Returning As Jim

28 Years Later director Danny Boyle recently revealed major news: Cillian Murphy will appear in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Cillian Murphy played Jim, the protagonist of 28 Days Later, although the character’s ambiguous fate and absence from 28 Weeks Later left the possibility of his return questionable. Luckily, Danny Boyle has already revealed that Jim will appear at some point in the second film, with him hoping that Cillian Murphy’s involvement in the third 28 Years Later film will help to get it funded.

Another big detail about the upcoming film is that 28 Years Later – The Bone Temple has already been filmed. The sequel and its predecessor were sH๏τ back-to-back, with filming on 28 Years Later – The Bone Temple starting on August 19, 2024. Thus, fans won’t have to wait long after the release of 28 Years Later to see its successor hit theaters.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Confirmation

Danny Boyle Isn’t Directing The Sequel

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple has been confirmed for a while now, as director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland have been talking about the 28 Years Later trilogy since before the 2025 film’s release. Now that 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple has wrapped filming, the movie is most likely in post-production. Since it is a blockbuster zombie movie, there is probably a lot of editing and visual effects work that has to go into the film in order to bring the world of the Unconditional Isolation Zone to life.

Interestingly, Danny Boyle will not be the one to direct 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Instead, Candyman and The Marvels director Nia DaCosta is taking the reins from Boyle for the second film, with her directing 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Although it hasn’t been revealed why Danny Boyle isn’t directing the second film, some have speculated that the back-to-back filming or his focus on the third 28 Years Later movie fould be the reason. Alex Garland has returned to write 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, however, and Danny Boyle is producing the sequel.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Release Date

The Film Will Release Less Than A Year After 28 Years Later

Sony Pictures Releasing currently has 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple slated for release on January 16, 2026. This means that there will be less than a year between the release of 28 Years Later and its successor. This quick turnaround is undoubtedly exciting news for fans, as the end of 28 Years Later is sure to leave them wanting more. The back-to-back filming dates are a key contributor in allowing 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple to release so soon, as the sequel doesn’t have to wait for the response to the first film or get its cast members back together again.

Unfortunately, no release date has been given for the third 28 Years Later movie. This sequel still hasn’t started filming, with it being in its early stages of development. Danny Boyle’s comments about Cillian Murphy’s contribution to the funding mean that the performance of the first two 28 Years Later movies could impact the release of the third film in the trilogy.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Cast Details

Which 28 Years Later Characters Are Returning?

Several cast members have already been announced for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Jamie, Jack O’Connell’s Sir Jimmy Crystal, and Emma Laird’s Jimmima are all confirmed to return. Cillian Murphy is also confirmed to reprise his 28 Days Later role as Jim, while Maura Bird will be joining the cast as Jimmy Jones. It is possible that more cast members could be revealed for 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple as time goes on, as these could be potential spoilers for 28 Years Later.

28 Years Later will be directed by Nia DaCosta and written by Alex Garland, the latter of which is returning from the first film. Danny Boyle, Alex Garland, Andrew Macdonald, Peter Rice, and Bernie Bellew are all listed as producers on the film. Cinematographer Sean Bobbitt, who previously worked with Nia DaCosta on The Marvels, is the cinematographer on 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Hildur Guðnadóttir, who composed 28 Years Later, is returning to compose the sequel.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Story Details

It Is The Middle Part Of A Trilogy

Very few details have been revealed in regards to the story of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. The sequel’s story is undoubtedly dependent on the ending of 28 Years Later, with more story details most likely not getting revealed until well after the first film’s release. However, Danny Boyle has already discussed the trilogy’s overarching story. Here are his comments:

It’s spread over three films, ultimately, and each film would stand independently. But there’d be a bigger tale to tell, and it would be based in a family, and that these two [points to Aaron and Jodie] would be the origin of the family. So, it’s independent from the first film, but it’s still the same apocalypse 28 years later as it was for Cillian Murphy in the first film and Naomie Harris. But this is 28 years later, and we don’t know what’s happened to them [Jim and Selena]. I’m not allowed to tell you, but these two are more than worthy stand-ins.

So, it is clear that the story of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple will continue to follow the protagonist family from 28 Years Later. The story of the sequel will also somehow tie into 28 Days Later, explaining Cillian Murphy’s return as Jim. There is a lot of speuclation around this mysterious story, with many fans being excited to see the continuation of the Rage Virus saga in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.