Bold claim: the fate of the third chapter of the 28 Years Later trilogy is hanging in the balance, and the industry’s whispers say it may never reach the screen. That’s the core issue behind a swirl of reports gathering around Sony, Netflix, and director Danny Boyle.
But here’s where it gets controversial: multiple sources over the past week suggest Sony isn’t rushing to finalize the trilogy’s finale, despite announcing it last December. Rumors even hint that Netflix has shown interest in picking up the sequel, yet Boyle appears adamant about a theatrical release—starring Cillian Murphy—rather than a streaming path.
Sony previously signaled forward motion for Chapter 3 before Bone Temple even hit theaters this past January. Dread Central hasn’t confirmed these whispers, but the trend isn’t surprising: the prospect of cold feet after a lukewarm box office can’t be dismissed.
Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta and serving as the second chapter, received strong critical praise but underperformed commercially. With a reported production budget of about $63 million, it grossed roughly $25 million domestically and around $57 million worldwide. Those numbers raise questions about profitability and release strategy, leaving fans wondering why enthusiasm didn’t translate to bigger numbers—and whether that will influence the fate of the final chapter.
Speculation runs the gamut: some point to audience fatigue with the 28 Years Later title, others blame marketing misfires or audience disinterest in long-awaited sequels. Whatever the reason, concern that the trilogy may stop at Bone Temple is understandable.
If you missed Bone Temple in theaters, it’s currently available on video-on-demand. Our review of DaCosta’s follow-up praises it as one of the year’s standout horror entries, even if the box office doesn’t mirror that sentiment. For a quick read, you can explore our full review linked in the original coverage.
Bottom line: the continuation of Spike’s story—the cliffhanger-filled arc that began with Boyle and Garland—depends on how these negotiations unfold. Will Boyle’s insistence on a theatrical finale win out, or will streaming platforms reframe the ending? And would you want to see the third chapter release exclusively in theaters, or would a streaming option keep the story alive for more fans?
Categories: News, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, 28 Years Later
