Fri Jan 23 12:20:00 UTC 2026: ### Nia DaCosta Navigates Sequels, Success, and the 28 Years Later Universe
The Story:
Director Nia DaCosta discusses her experience directing “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,” the sequel to Danny Boyle’s and Alex Garland’s “28 Days Later.” In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, DaCosta addresses the narrative that her recent success with “The Bone Temple” and “Hedda” is a direct response to the underperformance of her previous film, 2023’s “The Marvels.” She reveals insights into working within an established franchise, collaborating with Alex Garland and Danny Boyle, and the challenges of contributing to a beloved and critically acclaimed series.
Key Points:
* DaCosta expresses that she was prepared for the reception of “The Marvels” and feels at peace with its performance.
* “28 Years Later: The Bone Temple” is DaCosta’s most well-received film to date, garnering both critical and audience acclaim.
* The film explores a potential cure for the Infected, with Ralph Fiennes’ Dr. Ian Kelson making a breakthrough with Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry).
* The film’s ending reintroduces Cillian Murphy’s Jim, the protagonist of the original film.
* DaCosta collaborated closely with Alex Garland and had access to dailies from Danny Boyle’s shoot.
* DaCosta reveals that Imogen Poots from “28 Weeks Later” was considered for a role, but her character is confirmed to be deceased within the franchise’s canon.
Key Takeaways:
* DaCosta successfully navigated the complexities of directing a sequel within an established and beloved franchise.
* The film builds upon the mythology of “28 Days Later,” introducing new characters and exploring themes of hope, despair, and the search for meaning in a post-apocalyptic world.
* The return of Cillian Murphy’s Jim sets the stage for the next installment in the “28 Years Later” trilogy.
* DaCosta’s experience with prior sequels appears to have contributed to her creative process and comfort in entering established cinematic universes.
* Collaboration and open communication with the franchise’s original creators were key to DaCosta’s success in “The Bone Temple.”
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