The much anticipated sequel to a beloved post-apocalyptic franchise will feature some of today’s biggest stars, but surprisingly, it appears the central role in the upcoming28 Years Laterwill go to a newcomer. Some of the stars currently confirmed to appear in the sequel are the original film star,Cillian Murphy,Aaron Taylor-Johnson,Jodie Comer,Ralph Fiennes,Jack O’Connell,Erin Kellyman, andEdvin Ryding. However, it appears their collective star power will be harnessed to propel a new name to the limelight. Details regarding the film have been trickling in bits and pieces and the latest one from Aaron Taylor-Johnson has offered a fresh perspective on how the next installment will pan out.
Taylor-Johnson recently made an appearance on theMythical Kitchenseries where the actor shared thatthe lead in28 Years Laterwill be portrayed by a 13-year-old boy named Alfie. The actor casually revealed the update while sharing a bit of experience on set which included a mindful approach towards the boy, something he said he felt compelled to do knowing the importance of having someone to look up to, an advantage he was not lucky to have during the budding years of his career. He said:
“I just done a movie, 28 years later, with Danny Boyle and the lead is this young lad Alfie’s 13. I really took him under my wing and, and, and as did Danny. And we took care of him in a way that was like, I remember being that 13 year old. But I didn’t have someone who took me under my wing.”
Taylor-Johnson’s comments align with another fairly recent update shared by Fiennes while promoting his latest film,Conclave. In an interview withIndieWire,the Oscar winnerwent in depth into the film’s plot, revealing “it centers on a young boy who wants to find a doctor to help his dying mother.” He said;
“Britain is 28 years into this terrible plague of infected people who are violent, rabid humans with a few pockets of uninfected communities. Andit centers on a young boy who wants to find a doctor to help his dying mother. He leads his mother through this beautiful northern English terrain. But of course, around them hiding in forests and hills and woods are the infected. But he finds a doctor who is a man we might think is going to be weird and odd, but actually is a force for good.”
What Else Do We Know About ‘28 Years Later’?
With a new young protagonist confirmed for28 Years Later, the film has fulfilled a major requirement to qualify as a legacy sequel, and even more so, considering the return of Cillian Murphy to reprise the role of Jim. The sequel appears to be aiming for a new direction while paying homage to its predecessors. Audiences can also expect a groundbreaking visual experience, as28 Years Laterwas reportedly filmed using an iPhone “attached on the back of huge lenses!” asFiennes recently describedto Collider’sSteve Weintraub.
28 Years Laterwas written byAlex Garlandand directed byDanny Boyle. The movie is expected to hit theaters on August 17, 2025. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
28 Years Later
