Danny Boyle brings ‘fast’ zombies to the region – Spark Sunderland

Cillian Murphy in a scene from 28 Days Later (2002).

Oscar-winning British director Danny Boyle was in the North East filming his latest film, 28 years laterthe long-awaited third part of the horror series.

Recognizable locations in the film will include Northumberland, Hexham, Waskerley, Lindisfarne, Ripon, Aysgarth Falls and Fountains Abbey and Melsonby, which are used to bring the dystopian horror to life.

Oscar winner Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) will return to the series after appearing in the first film in 2002; it was the first project that catapulted him to movie star status.

New cast members include Jodie Comer (Cyclists), Ralph Fiennes (Harry Potter) and Aaron-Taylor-Johnson (Kick-Ass).

The film is a continuation of the events of 2002 28 days laterdirected by Boyle, in which Murphy starred alongside stars such as Brendan Gleeson (Harry Potter) and Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who).

In 2007, a sequel was released, 28 weeks laterdirected by Spanish director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, with stars such as Jeremy Renner (Avengers), Robert Carlyle (Trainspotting), Rose Byrne (Bad neighbors) and Idris Elba (Pacific). Each of them was well received by critics after their initial release.

Both films were about a sudden viral epidemic that turns its victims into “fast”, relentless zombies, ultimately shedding new light on the zombie genre; mainly due to the fact that “fast” zombies were quite rare.

Film director Danny Boyle is no stranger to the North East.

Danny Boyle has once again teamed up with frequent collaborator Alex Garland to write the script for the latest installment.

Garland is a successful science fiction author whose screenplay credits include: There was Machina, Sunlight AND Annihilation. Boyle also published his book Beach in the movie.

However, from a more historical perspective, this is the first time a blockbuster (the film has a budget of $75 million) was shot on an iPhone.

Fans of the first installment in particular will have plenty to be excited about, considering the return of the same writer-director duo. 28 years later premiere in cinemas on June 20, 2025.