Acclaimed director Danny Boyle is reportedly incorporating an unconventional piece of technology into how he is approacthing the filming for his long-awaited horror return in28 Years Later. Boyle’s 2002 feature starred Cillian Murphy as a comatose man who awakens to find that the United Kingdom has been ravaged by a virus turning those who contract it into savage and mindles rage-driven zombies. Set to release in 2025,28 Years Laterwill see Murphy star alongside Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, Erin Kellyman and Edvin Ryding as newcomers to the franchise.Filming wrapped on28 Years Laterin July.
Now,Wiredis reporting that the sequel saw Boyle choose to capture the footage for the movie on an unconventional device compared to most recent large scale productions. Throughout filming, rather than relying on modern digital film cameras, Boyle opted to utilize iPhone 15s with modified hardware, lenses, and cages to capture the footage for the movie.
While the production may be utilizing unconventional technology, longtime Boyle collaborator Anthony Dod Mantle returns to the franchise and reunites with the director for the first time since 2002 to act as cinematographer for the 2025 sequel.
What We Know About 28 Years Later
The Original Crew Will Kickstart A New Horror Trilogy
Alongside Boyle, Murphy, and Mantle,28 Years Laterwill also see Alex Garland return to pen the sequel alongside the director after having just acted as producer on the 2007 sequel28 Weeks Later.Production on the movie kicked off on May 7 in Northumberland, before wrapping on July 29, just over a year ahead of its June 20 release in 2025.
Despite its lengthy development that lasted over 17 years,28 Years Lateris only the start of a new three-act story, as a fourth film is in development. WithCandyman’s Nia DaCosta helming the sequel, titled28 Years Late Part II: The Bone Temple, it is currently planned to be filmed back to back with Boyle’s movie, with the director and Garland entering producer roles.
Our Thoughts On Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later Camera Choice
The Director May Be Hoping To Recapture The Original Movie’s Tone
While Boyle’s camera of choice for28 Years Latermay be unconventional, it isn’t too out of line with what Boyle has previously contributed to the franchise. The original28 Days Laterused smaller Canon XL1 digital cameras throughout its production, as the devices were more maneuverable withinthe original movie’s fast-paced filming schedule. As such, the video quality for most of its runtime is closest to that of an early 2000s British television drama as opposed to other contemporary films of the day.
Scenes set in usually busy areas of London required the crew to film before sunrise to avoid public interference and traffic,closing off sections of the road for roughly 45 minute shoots.
Though the camera quality may differ,28 Days Later’s rougher digital footage adds a level of realism to the movie, making it feel grounded and closer to life when compared to what a highly-polished capture would be. As such, not only does it stand out visually, but the raw digital footage helps emphasize the horror of the scenario, leaving its sole use of footage captured on film in28 Days Later’s ending all the more poignant. As such, Boyle’s camera of choice on28 Years Latermay show the director is trying to recapture a similar effect once more.
