28 Years Later: Alex Garland‘s Mandarin Film Pitch and the Evolution of the rage Virus Trilogy

The upcoming horror film,28 Years Later,almost took a drastically different path,with writer Alex Garland initially envisioning a story told entirely in Mandarin. Garland, collaborating again with director danny Boyle, conceived a “punk” twist involving Chinese Special Forces for the third installment of the 28 Days Later franchise.

The Mandarin Concept: A Bold, but Generic Start

Garland described his initial screenplay, developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, as “completely and utterly f generic.” The core idea involved a military commando unit breaching quarantine to locate the origin of the Rage virus, only to discover another group attempting to weaponize it.The “punk element” was the commandos being Chinese Special Forces,with the entire film presented in Mandarin with subtitles.

Did You Know? the original 28 Days Later (2002) was filmed on a low budget, using innovative techniques to depict a deserted London, contributing to its raw and unsettling atmosphere.

Despite envisioning major action sequences, including shootouts and mass attacks, Garland felt the plot was too predictable. His concerns were validated when he presented the script to Boyle.

Boyle’s Reaction and the “Blank Slate” Revelation

Boyle’s reaction to the script was less than excited. Garland recalls boyle essentially questioning the script’s quality, leading them to abandon the Mandarin concept. Though, this setback proved beneficial, providing them with a “totally blank slate” for the film’s direction.

Pro Tip: Sometimes, abandoning a flawed idea can unlock unexpected creative avenues, leading to a stronger and more original final product.

The New Direction: Family and Survival

The final plot of 28 Years Later focuses on a family struggling to survive within an island community in the post-apocalyptic world ravaged by the Rage virus [[2]]. This shift allowed Garland to explore new themes and narratives within the established universe.

The film is set to be released in 2025 and is intended to be the foundation for a new trilogy [[2]]. Danny Boyle and Alex Garland reunite to discuss the spirit of innovation that drove them to experiment with cutting-edge filmmaking technology [[3]].

The Legacy of 28 Days Later

28 Days Later, released in 2002, is credited with revitalizing the zombie genre with its fast-moving infected and gritty realism. The film’s success spawned a sequel, 28 Weeks Later, and now, 28 Years Later aims to continue the terrifying saga.

What are your predictions for the new 28 Years Later trilogy? Will it live up to the legacy of the original film?

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