28 Years Later is almost here, and one key creative difference has already been revealed ahead of the film’s release. 28 Years Later is the sequel to 28 Days Later and 28 Years Later, continuing the story over two in-universe decades after the previous film’s conclusion. Danny Boyle is returning to direct 28 Years Later after his absence from 28 Weeks Later, but he isn’t the only creative returning, with Alex Garland returning to write the sequel after being an uncredited writer on the previous film.

Speaking with ScreenRant’s Liam Crowley, 28 Years Later and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple writer Alex Garland discussed how he has evolved as a filmmaker in the 23 years since 28 Days Later was released. Garland explained that directing has given him “a different perspective on the job” of both writing and directing. While the role of director was a bit hazy to him during the first film’s production, his knowledge of the role led him to “write this script and I’m going to hand it over” to Danny Boyle on 28 Years Later, something he admits he didn’t do on 28 Days Later. Here are Alex Garland’s full comments:

I mean, partly I just understood more about [the directing process], but I think that my sense of what a director did while I was working on 28 Days was extremely hazy. I mean, I could see Danny doing stuff, but what that stuff meant or why it happened or why it happened in the way it happened was really quite mysterious to me, and it remained that way, I think, until I started directing. And then suddenly you understand just a different perspective on the job. I think the key difference was that I thought I’m going to write this script and I’m going to hand it over and I’m going to step back because, as a director, I would not want somebody on set who was in effect saying, ‘No, not like that, like this.’ So I thought I’m just going to give Danny total space. I think I didn’t do that with 28 Days Later, really, because I didn’t understand what the spaces were. I didn’t know where the edges of the spaces were, I suppose. I think that would be a big difference.

What Alex Garland’s Creative Approach Means For 28 Years Later

The Film Is Fully Danny Boyle’s Directorial Vision

It is impossible to say what impact Alex Garland had on Danny Boyle’s directorial approach in 28 Days Later. However, now that Garland is consciously stepping back from influencing Danny Boyle, it can be said with certainty that 28 Years Later is Boyle’s vision. This is a major change from the original film, as Garland now knows that he is handing his script off for someone else to interpret, rather than Garland attempting to get the director to portray the writer’s vision of the script.

Alex Garland’s directorial experience could impact his writing style, however. Screenwriters who write films they produce often have a very different style of writing than screenwriters who want to sell their scripts for other directors, as the former group can put niche directorial choices into the writing. So, it is possible that Garland could still influence Danny Boyle’s directing in this way.

Our Take On Alex Garland’s Change To 28 Years Later’s Production

How Will The Sequel Compare To The Original?

Danny Boyle’s artistry is important to the franchise, as his absence from 28 Weeks Later is what makes the sequel so controversial. So, it is definitely a good thing that the creative team is ensuring that Danny Boyle is able to fully express his vision of the film. However, Alex Garland’s vision is also important, as his 28 Years Later script is the backbone of the entire production.