Jack O’Connell has joined the cast for 28 Years Later, the new film from Danny Boyle and Alex Garland.
The new film, a sequel to both 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later, is intended to be the first instalment of a trilogy, and Deadline has now confirmed that O’Connell is the latest star to join the project.
The announcement follows the news last month that Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes had joined the cast, though it’s unknown if they’ve signed on for one film or the whole trilogy.
Related: Danny Boyle to return for new 28 Days Later trilogy
The first film, which was directed by Boyle and written by Garland, followed a bike courier (Cillian Murphy) as he awoke to find that society was in ruin following the release of a highly contagious virus.
The follow-up film, which was directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, depicted the efforts of NATO military forces as they attempted to create a safe zone in London, with the film including a cast of new characters.
Despite not featuring in the sequel, Murphy recently revealed that he would gladly reprise his role as Jim should he be asked, adding that it was one of the few films he has starred in that he would rewatch.
Related: New 28 Days Later movie gets an exciting filming update
“I can’t give much more at this point,” he began. “But I’ve always said I would love to be involved because that movie changed everything for me – I have great affection for it and for those guys, [Alex and Danny]. I never watch my own films, except that one.
“It’s always on around Halloween and during the pandemic people were constantly sending me clips. And I’ve shown it to my kids. It’s really stood up, even though it’s 22 years old now, so I’m really thrilled that we’ll get the band back together to make this one.”
There is currently no release date for 28 Years Later.
Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
