Nia DaCosta Demands More Infected for 28 Years Later Sequel, The Bone Temple

The director of the upcoming horror sequel has revealed her single, crucial contribution to the hit franchise’s next chapter, promising a more intense experience for fans.

Following the massive success of 28 Years Later, which captivated audiences and critics alike in 2025, the pressure is on for its follow-up, The Bone Temple. Director Nia DaCosta, who took over directorial duties from Danny Boyle, recently shared the one significant change she insisted upon after reading writer Alex Garland’s script: a substantial increase in the number of infected.

How will The Bone Temple differ from previous 28 films?

During a Q&A session at the Edinburgh Film Festival, DaCosta expressed immense satisfaction with the filmmaking process for The Bone Temple, highlighting a key difference from her previous works. She contrasted this project with her experiences on Candyman and The Marvels, noting that those films suffered from a lack of a solid script from the outset, which inevitably caused complications throughout production.

In stark contrast, she described the script for The Bone Temple from Alex Garland as “amazing” and something that fundamentally did not require alteration. However, DaCosta identified an area for enhancement that aligned with fan expectations for the franchise. Her primary creative demand was straightforward and impactful: she asked for more infected characters to be incorporated into the narrative, ensuring the sequel delivers on the relentless, terrifying action the series is known for.

Beyond this key change, DaCosta praised the collaborative and supportive environment. She inherited a strong core cast from the previous film and was given significant creative freedom to cast additional roles, develop new locations, and put her own visual stamp on the project. While she collaborated briefly with Danny Boyle on certain elements, such as the look of the character Samson, she emphasized that their directorial styles are distinctly different, promising a unique vision for this new installment.

A Solid Foundation for a Terrifying Sequel

The commitment to increasing the infected hordes signals a deliberate return to the heart-pounding, survival-horror roots that defined the original 28 Days Later. This decision is likely to resonate strongly with the franchise’s dedicated fanbase, who prioritize the raw, frantic energy of the infected attacks. With a critically acclaimed script by Alex Garland as its foundation and DaCosta’s focused direction amplifying the threat level, The Bone Temple is strategically positioned to surpass its predecessor’s acclaim.

The project builds on the strong foundation of 28 Years Later, which was both a critical and commercial smash, grossing over $150 million worldwide and securing an impressive 88% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film was praised for its soulful storytelling amidst the chaos, a balance the sequel now aims to evolve with even greater intensity.

Must Know

What is the release date for The Bone Temple?
The Bone Temple is scheduled to be released in theaters on January 6, 2026. Production was completed efficiently, with filming commencing even before the first film premiered.

Who is directing The Bone Temple?
Nia DaCosta is the director of The Bone Temple. She takes over from Danny Boyle, who directed the original 28 Days Later and 28 Years Later. Alex Garland returned to write the screenplay for both the 2025 film and its sequel.

What did Nia DaCosta change about the script?
Nia DaCosta’s primary contribution to Alex Garland’s script was to request “more infected.” This was her main creative demand to amplify the horror and action elements synonymous with the franchise.

Will any characters from 28 Years Later return?
While specific casting details are under wraps, DaCosta confirmed that she “inherited an amazing cast” from the previous film, strongly suggesting that several key characters will be returning for the sequel.

What are the new infected like?
Details on the new infected, including the mysterious “Slow Low” variant, are being kept secret to preserve the cinematic experience. However, the commitment to more infected implies a greater variety and number of threats for the survivors to face.