The highly anticipated sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, is set to hit theaters next week, a mere seven months after the release of its predecessor, 28 Years Later. Remarkably, these two films were shot back-to-back. However, there is a significant change in the creative team, as Nia DaCosta has stepped in to direct, taking over from Danny Boyle, who remains involved as a producer. Alex Garland, the original screenwriter of the first film, continues his role as the writer for this sequel.
Despite being a direct continuation of the narrative established in 28 Years Later, it's important to note that viewers should not expect a mere repetition of the first movie. Ralph Fiennes, reprising his role as Dr. Ian Kelson, shared insights with Digital Spy, highlighting the atmosphere of respect during the transition between directors. He noted, "There was a huge respect. We did Danny's film and there was no discussion about how we would proceed into Nia's film." Fiennes emphasized that neither Danny nor Alex sought to influence the direction of the sequel, allowing the new vision to unfold naturally under DaCosta's guidance.
Fiennes elaborated on the filming style in the sequel, stating that while the pivotal scenes involving Kelson and the character Samson were straightforwardly shot, DaCosta employed striking camera angles that heightened the tension between the actors and their characters. He expressed his admiration for her approach, saying, "She really wanted scenes to play in quite a classic way, which I loved."
The narrative of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple delves into the intricate relationship between Dr. Kelson and Samson, the Alpha leader infected character introduced in the first film. This relationship evolves in surprising ways throughout the sequel, especially as Dr. Kelson confronts a new adversary, Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal, portrayed by Jack O'Connell.
Chi Lewis-Parry, who plays Samson, was fortunate to develop this connection with Fiennes through the scripts, given that the films were shot consecutively. He described the experience, mentioning how he sought guidance whenever he stumbled upon aspects that required clarity. "I think because we shot so close together, having been given both of the scripts at the same time and read through like one big story, it was quite clear," he explained.
Lewis-Parry praised Garland's exceptional writing, noting that it left nothing unaddressed, making it easy to comprehend and analyze, which in turn fostered a strong on-screen chemistry between him and Fiennes.
Fans can look forward to the release of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple in UK cinemas on January 14 and in US theaters on January 16.
In other news, the new edition of Living Legends, which celebrates the iconic musician Dolly Parton, is now available! You can purchase Dolly at 80 from newsagents or online for just £8.99.
Ian, the Movies Editor at Digital Spy, boasts over a decade of experience in film journalism. He began his career as an intern at the prestigious Screen International, where he advanced to analyzing UK box office trends and built a reputation in the horror genre, attending global festivals. After joining Digital Spy as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. By 2019, he became the Movies Editor, where he has interviewed numerous stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, and Keanu Reeves, and has appeared as a film expert on BBC News and at MCM Comic-Con. Ian remains dedicated to promoting horror films whenever possible, regardless of editorial preferences.
