28 Years Later opened last summer to the tune of $151 million worldwide, but 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple was unable to repeat the financial success earlier this year, grossing only $57.8 million globally.
“It’s so funny, because literally every barometer we use in the industry to determine whether or not a movie is good, and people like it and want to see it, was through the roof, and yet our box office wasn’t there,” director Nia DaCosta tells Empire of her sequel.
“I made a great film, and I’m really proud of it, and people liked it,” she adds.
The films, shot back-to-back, were released just seven months apart. DaCosta wonders whether it was “maybe too soon, because people were like, ‘Oh yeah, I saw that last summer!’ I’m like, ‘No, no, so there’s a sequel!’”
Despite the underwhelming performance, DaCosta stands by her work.
“When this came out and it didn’t do as well in terms of the money it made, I was disappointed,” she admits. “But I also was like, ‘I’m so happy that when people find the film, they’re going to enjoy the film.’ I wish it made more money, but I’m really proud of it.”
Written by Alex Garland, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple finds Dr. Kelson in a shocking new relationship — with consequences that could change the world as they know it — while Spike’s encounter with Jimmy Crystal becomes a nightmare he can’t escape.
Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams, Erin Kellyman, and Chi Lewis-Parry star, with Cillian Murphy reprising his 28 Days Later role.
Meagan Navarro wrote in her 4-skull review, “Director Nia DaCosta takes the reins with fearless gusto, making this entry wholly her own while pushing the overarching story and its richly layered themes into darker, grislier, funnier, and more poignant territory.”
The question remains whether Sony will complete the 28 Years Later trilogy. The studio was developing the third installment — with Garland penning the script, Danny Boyle attached to direct, and Murphy in talks to star — but there have been no updates in the wake of The Bone Temple’s release.
