Sony Pictures has unveiled the first official trailer for 28 Years Later, the highly anticipated third chapter in Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s groundbreaking zombie franchise. Fans of the apocalyptic series can rejoice as Boyle and Garland return to helm the film, taking on their original roles as director and writer, after serving as executive producers on 2007’s 28 Weeks Later.

The chilling new trailer introduces franchise newcomers Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes as they navigate a world overrun by the infected. While Cillian Murphy, star of the original 28 Days Later, had been rumored to reprise his role as Jim and is listed as an executive producer, his absence from the trailer has raised questions. One particular zombie shown in the trailer has sparked fan speculation online, with many wondering if Murphy’s character has succumbed to the virus. Columbia Pictures has yet to confirm or deny the theory.

Adding to the ensemble are Erin Kellyman and Jack O’Connell, who join the cast for this pulse-pounding sequel. The official synopsis reveals the dire state of this world: “Nearly three decades after the rage virus escaped from a biological weapons lab, a small group of survivors ekes out an existence on an isolated island connected to the mainland by a heavily-defended causeway. When one of them ventures into the heart of the mainland, they uncover horrifying mutations not only among the infected but also within humanity itself.”

A New Chapter in Survival Horror

28 Years Later marks the start of a trilogy of sequels, with Boyle and Garland leading the charge. The film was shot back-to-back with its sequel, 28 Years Later II: The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta. Renowned cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle employed the iPhone 15 Pro Max to bring an intimate yet cinematic look to the story.

The movie is produced by Columbia Pictures in collaboration with BFI, DNA Films, and Decibel Films. Producers Andrew MacDonald and Peter Rice team up once again with Garland and Boyle to deliver what promises to be a game-changing entry in the zombie genre.

Watch the Trailer Below:

Fans of the franchise can mark their calendars—28 Years Later is set to hit theaters on June 20, 2025.