Why is it 28 Years Later and not 28 Months Later: Unveiling the Time Choice

28 Days Later, 28 Weeks Later…, and now the upcoming 28 Years Later is currently in the works - but what about the missing 28 Months Later?

Released in 2002, Danny Boyle and Alex Garland breathed new life into the zombie genre with 28 Days Later. Departing from Romero's traditional brain-eating zombies, this film's virus targeted the living, robbing them of their humanity and leaving them in a perpetual state of bloodthirsty rage.

The original movie is a masterpiece, offering a monstrous yet hopeful allegory for the depths of humanity. While its sequel, 28 Weeks Later, did not live up to the legacy of the writer-director duo, it boasts one of the most blood-chilling and pulse-racing opening sequences of any 21st century film. The possibility of a third installment was first mentioned in 2007, and now, over 15 years later, the threequel has finally been announced – albeit with a title that people did not expect.

Searchlight Pictures

Why isn’t 28 Years Later called 28 Months Later?

The reason for the title "28 Years Later" is clear, as it is a more fitting continuation of the story after such a long time since the first two films. However, it was originally intended to be titled "28 Months Later." Soon after the sequel's DVD release, reports stated that significant DVD sales would be necessary for a third movie to be approved.

Boyle previously mentioned that the story for the next installment of Sunshine had already been planned, but there were later obstacles with the rights to the series and other development challenges. In 2015, Garland stated to IGN that serious discussions had begun, and there was a possibility of a sequel. He mentioned that he, Boyle, and MacDonald had been in serious conversations about it and had an idea, although he acknowledged that the situation was complex and had various boring complications that he didn't elaborate on.

It's probably more realistic for it to be 28 Months rather than 28 Years. Adding an extra 28 Years just extends the story further. 28 Decades would likely be pushing it. In 2023, while discussing the first movie for an oral history, Garland informed Inverse that he had resisted writing a third entry "because there were aspects of 28 Weeks that bothered me. I just thought, 'Forget that. I'd rather attempt to write a different story in a different world.'"

A few years ago, an idea formed in my mind for what would become 28 Years Later. Danny always liked the concept," he said.

28 Years Later has now been announced, with plans to kick off a new trilogy – although we shouldn't anticipate sequels titled 28 Decades Later and 28 Centuries Later.

You can find out everything we know about 28 Years Later here.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I'm thrilled about the upcoming release of "28 Years Later." The original "28 Days Later" was a groundbreaking film that redefined the zombie genre, and I've been eagerly waiting for a sequel ever since. The title change from "28 Months Later" to "28 Years Later" is intriguing and suggests that the story will take an unexpected turn. I'm excited to see how the filmmakers will explore the long-term effects of the Rage virus and how society has evolved in the intervening years.

I appreciate the filmmakers' decision to take their time with this sequel and ensure that it lives up to the legacy of the first two films. The fact that Danny Boyle and Alex Garland are returning to the franchise is also very promising. They have a deep understanding of the world they created and will undoubtedly bring a fresh perspective to the story. I'm confident that "28 Years Later" will be a worthy addition to the series and can't wait to experience the next chapter in this thrilling post-apocalyptic saga.