None of28 Years Later’s confirmed stars are the movie’s lead, actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson seemingly reveals. The long-awaited sequel to28 Days Later(2002) and28 Weeks Later(2007), the upcoming post-apocalyptic horror film is once again written by Alex Garland and directed by Danny Boyle, following a group of survivors in a world ravaged by the Rage Virus and hordes of infected. The confirmed28 Years Latercastincludes Cillian Murphy reprising his role from28 Days Lateralongside newcomers Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, Erin Kellyman, and Edvin Ryding.
However, none of these confirmed stars may be the movie’s lead. During an appearance onMythical Kitchen’s series in which guests eat their last meal,Aaron Taylor-Johnson seemingly revealed that28 Years Later’s lead is a 13-year-old actor named Alfie, not any of the major stars confirmed for the project so far. Taylor-Johnson was discussing his instinct to look out for a child actor after having been one himself when he casually revealed the news. Read his full comment or watch the portion of the video below:
I just done a movie, 28 years later, with Danny Boyle and the lead is this young lad Alfie’s 13. I really took him under my wing and, and, and as did Danny. And we took care of him in a way that was like, I remember being that 13 year old. But I didn’t have someone who took me under my wing.
What Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Comments Mean For 28 Years Later
It’s Taking The Path Of A Typical Legacy Sequel
Aaron Taylor-Johnson seemingly revealing that28 Years Later’s lead is a 13-year-old actor named Alfie means that the movie appears to be taking the path of a typical legacy sequel. Releasing nearly 20 years after the last film,28 Years Laterwill take place significantly later in the timeline and incorporate a character from the original,Cillian Murphy’s Jim. However, the lead will be a completely new character played by a 13-year-old actor named Alfie, aiming to honor the legacy of the original film while presenting a fresh perspective.
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28 Years Lateris designed as the first film in a new trilogy of sequels.28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Templewas shot back-to-back, directed by Nia DaCosta with Boyle and Garland returning as writers. Though the rest of the cast is unconfirmed,it’s possible that the 13-year-old actor named Alfie could return as the lead for the entire sequel trilogy. Garland says a major influence on28 Years LaterwasKes, a 1969 coming-of-age film about a 15-year-old boy who adopts a fledgling kestrel and trains it in the art of falconry.
Our Take On 28 Years Later’s New Young Lead
A New Generation Navigates The Rage Virus Apocalypse
Though it’s unknown who the actor even is, casting a new young star as the lead aligns28 Years Laterwith the blueprint of a legacy sequel, similar to theStar Warssequel trilogy. The approach appears to introduce a new protagonist, while bringing back an original character—in this case, Cillian Murphy’s Jim.Alfie’s character should represent a new generation navigating the Rage Virus apocalypse, creating a bridge between the original movies and the new sequel trilogy. It appears28 Years Laterwill aim to balance the nostalgia of the original with a bold new coming-of-age narrative.
