For years 28 Months Later has been a possibility, both with and without Danny Boyle at the helm. Seeing as he's currently making the press rounds for Steve Jobs, it's only fitting that he be asked about possibly returning to the franchise that he helped launch with 2002's smash indie hit. And as luck would have it, he doesn't seem too bothered by that possibility.
While talking to The Playlist, the Academy Award winning director gave some updates on historical films that he's working on, as well as the following quote of hope involving the unofficially titled sequel to 2007's 28 Weeks Later:
I've got no problem [with that]. It’s the usual thing: is it's not about whether people think it's a good idea that you're directing. It’s whether you respond to the script or not.
Ultimately, Danny Boyle has the best excuse for whether he decides to join up or ship off when it comes to 28 Months Later. His belief that the story needs to speak to him is not only noble, it's the smart thing to do. If we're stuck with two good films in a franchise we wish could continue, then that's better than Boyle signing on to anything with a familiar name on it – only to disappoint fans and himself in the end. But even with that understanding, why is it so tantalizing to think of a new 28 Days Later sequel with Boyle at the helm?
Ever since he helped create a break out hit with 28 Days Later, Danny Boyle's star has seemed to consistently be on the rise. He's come a long way from making the smaller films that serve as the foundation of his career, yet Boyle still manages to inject prestige fare like 127 Hours or Slumdog Millionaire with that same manic charm that he brings to his films. One could see why he could be reticent to make a creative backslide of sorts and return to the series that helped put him on the map. However, if you really think about it, 28 Months Later could be a sweet homecoming for Danny Boyle.
When he made 28 Days Later, Boyle's career was in the doldrums – all thanks to the sub-par reception of his film The Beach. After some experiments in digital film-making, Danny Boyle decided to work with writer Alex Garland again, thus giving birth to the modern zombie-esque classic. One could say that all of his recent success is because of his gamble on the project. Also, if you know the names and faces of Cillian Murphy, Christopher Eccleston, Naomie Harris, and Brendan Gleeson – you can thank 28 Days Later - as well as Boyle's deft casting touch - for doing you that favor. Having Danny Boyle continue the series he made into a sensation would be poetic justice, and it could even serve as the right palette cleanser before he ventures into his next project. In the end, there is no bad choice here, so long as Danny Boyle sticks to his guns and lets the story speak to him above any other noise.
While it may be a thousand years away from the current film in discussion, you can see Danny Boyle work his magic in Steve Jobs, as it opens in limited release today.
