Director Danny Boyle is reflecting on some unexpected challenges that arose during the filming of 28 Years Later, the latest installment in the zombie-apocalypse franchise.
The film, which takes place 28 years after society is ravaged by the Rage virus, brings a fresh perspective to the post-apocalyptic world.
However, shooting certain scenes turned out to be more complicated than Boyle had anticipated, especially when it came to the portrayal of the virus’s effects on the infected.
The Challenge of Naked Zombie Scenes
As Boyle explained in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE at the film’s premiere in London on June 18, the film required a realistic depiction of how the infected might look after years of exposure to the Rage virus.
According to Boyle, “if you’ve been infected for a long time, the clothes would just disintegrate with the way that you behave.” However, the inclusion of completely naked victims on the set led to a major obstacle when an underage actor was involved.
Boyle learned that, due to UK laws, any nudity involving a child actor would violate the Child Sex Offenses Act. With 14-year-old Alfie Williams playing Spike, the son of Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s character Jamie, Boyle soon discovered that the production couldn’t have any actual nudity on set. He called the situation a “nightmare,” saying, “We never knew that going in.”
The Solution: Prosthetics
To resolve the issue, Boyle and the crew had to get creative. “Interestingly, because there was a 12-year-old boy on set, you’re not allowed for anybody to be naked, not really naked, so they look naked, but it’s all prosthetics,” Boyle explained.
Instead of using real nudity, the production turned to prosthetics to achieve the look of naked zombies. This added an extra layer of complexity to the film, but it was necessary to adhere to legal regulations while still staying true to the film’s unsettling, gritty atmosphere.
The Return of the 28 Franchise
28 Years Later is the third film in the 28 Days Later zombie franchise, which began in 2003 with 28 Days Later directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland. The film, which starred Cillian Murphy, was a massive hit, influencing many subsequent films in the zombie genre.
Boyle and Garland took on more of a behind-the-scenes role for the second installment, 28 Weeks Later, but in early 2025, it was announced that they would be returning for the new trilogy, starting with 28 Years Later.
Producer Andrew Macdonald confirmed at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in August 2024 that Boyle and Garland would be involved in at least three more films in the 28 franchise, with 28 Years Later being the first.
“We’re making, hopefully, three more 28 films with the first one called 28 Years Later,” Macdonald stated. “Then we’re just about to start, tomorrow morning, actually, part two. And then we hope there’s going to be a third part and it’s a trilogy.”
Despite the unexpected challenges and regulatory hurdles, 28 Years Later is set to hit theaters on June 20, bringing fans back to the devastating world of the Rage virus.
The film promises to offer a fresh look at the 28 universe, while still delivering the chilling atmosphere and intense thrills that the franchise is known for.
Boyle’s experience navigating legal regulations and ensuring the safety of child actors highlights the complexities of filmmaking, but it doesn’t overshadow the excitement surrounding the continuation of this iconic series.
