After a staggering 22 years, director Danny Boyle has unveiled the sequel to '28 Days Later' (2003), titled '28 Years Later', sharing fascinating insights about the film.
During a virtual press conference with the Korean media on the morning of the 18th, Danny Boyle expressed his regret for not being able to visit Korea in person, saying, "Welcome to the world of '28 Years Later'. I wish I could have met you in Korea."
When asked why he decided to revisit the series after more than two decades, Boyle praised the script, saying, "The script was absolutely fantastic. It contained some amazing stories," thereby lauding the high-quality screenplay by Alex Garland, with whom he has teamed up once again following '28 Days Later'.
Boyle went on to say, "The global pandemic made the scenes from '28 Days Later' feel not so far from reality. Brexit felt the same way," highlighting how global social phenomena naturally blended into the narrative of this film. He also expressed his gratitude towards the fans who have loved '28 Days Later' for over two decades.
Boyle described the unique charm of '28 Years Later' as "original settings and experiences," aiming to depict not only the lives and actions of the survivors but also the survival methods of the infected, promising viewers will see various types of evolved infected.
When asked about maintaining the authenticity of the sequel, Boyle immediately mentioned "Cillian Murphy" as a pivotal link. He revealed that Murphy, who joined this project as a producer, will be a significant figure throughout the trilogy that spans '28 Years Later' and its subsequent films.
The conversation then shifted to Boyle's distinctive direction, including the world-building, unique filming techniques, and soundtrack of '28 Years Later'. He mentioned that with smartphones now capable of 4K filming, it's entirely feasible to shoot for cinema, emphasizing his desire to minimize equipment to avoid damaging the natural filming locations.
'28 Years Later' utilized a wide aspect ratio of 2.76:1, commonly used in IMAX films, to create a sense of unease and capture the beauty of nature, enhancing the visual thrill.
Given the critical acclaim of '28 Days Later' for its genre-defining excitement and sharp social commentary, Boyle hopes '28 Years Later' will be remembered as a terrifying, thrilling experience that also prompts viewers to consider how humanity can be preserved in extreme situations. He added, "I wanted to offer an experience that can only be had in theaters. Technology connects us but also separates us. This balance is central to the film."
Regarding the new trilogy, Boyle shared that the first film explores 'the essence of family', while the second will delve into 'the nature of evil', according to screenwriter Alex Garland. He teased that the second film will feature a cameo by Cillian Murphy, setting the stage for the third film to be 'Cillian Murphy's movie', adding another reason why '28 Years Later' is a must-watch.
Concluding the press conference, Boyle expressed his respect and gratitude to all the fans of '28 Days Later', urging them to experience '28 Years Later' on the big screen upon its release in Korea.
The successful virtual press conference with Danny Boyle has heightened anticipation for '28 Years Later', a story of extreme horror following a boy named Spike, born on the thoroughly isolated 'Holy Island' after a virus has ravaged the world for 28 years, who sets foot on the mainland for the first time to face evolved infected. The film is set to hit theaters nationwide on June 19.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)