Summary

• Charlie Hunnam is rumored to star in 28 Years Later, the long-awaited sequel to 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later.
• Hunnam's rumored role will bring something new to the franchise, which might have trouble standing out in the current state of the zombie genre.
• 28 Years Later could also establish Hunnam as a leading actor who can carry the weight of a movie on his own back.

Zombie media is growing more alive every year in the entertainment industry. Right off the heels of HBO's The Last of Us and The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, Sony officially confirmed a third sequel in the 28 Days Later franchise. Titled 28 Years Later, the film is rumored to star Sons of Anarchy actor Charlie Hunnam, who is long overdue for a leading role in a mainstream film.

Not much is known about 28 Years Later due to it being pretty early in development, but what has been confirmed is that Danny Boyle will return to direct and Alex Garland will be writing the script. In terms of casting, there have been numerous rumors about Academy-Award winning actors returning to reprise their roles and other actors taking on new roles. Although Hunnam's casting is still a rumor at the moment, it garners generous excitement from fans of his who have waited for a new breakthrough role. On top of that, the 28 Days Later franchise could actually greatly benefit from having an actor like Hunnam as the face of its new entry.

Everything We Know About 28 Years Later

Director: Danny Boyle, Writer: Alex Garland, Star: Cillian Murphy

Sadly, there's not much to report on for 28 Years Later. Most recent news of the film are just rumors and speculation, with the occasional confirmation here and there. As mentioned, Danny Boyle will direct the film and Alex Garland will write the script. It marks their official return to the franchise since helming the first film over 20 years ago, since they didn't return to create the sequel 28 Weeks Later.

The film's confirmation comes after a long bidding war between studios, which ended in Sony winning the rights. On April 2024, Garland told CBR that he's currently working on the script for 28 Years Later and promised that the film will have the same "punk element" as the first movie, but on a larger scale. Not only will 28 Years Later be a new sequel in the franchise, but it'll also start a new trilogy of films.

In terms of casting, Cillian Murphy will reportedly reprise his role as Jim, but when he was asked about his potential return, all he said was, "I'm available." Aside from Hunnam's role, Jodie Comer is also rumored to take on a leading role in the film.

28 Years Later Needs a Promising Lead

It's no surprise that 28 Days Later is generating a new sequel as of 2024. 28 Days Later helped rejuvenate the zombie genre in all mediums. Not long after its release, Robert Kirkman released the first issue of The Walking Dead comics, which later became an 11-season AMC series that garnered multiple spinoffs and video games. The Last of Us has now been crowned ruler of the zombie genre, not only because of the critically acclaimed video game and its sequel, but because of the immense popularity of the HBO television adaptation. Other television shows like Z Nation and All of Us Are Dead have won over fans. Additionally, movies like Zombieland and its sequel, World War Z and Warm Bodies all became cult classics in the undead genre.

All of these stories don't even count dozens to hundreds of other apocalyptic movies and shows that don't feature zombies. One might assume that as the godfather of modern zombie tales, the 28 Days Later franchise will do just fine in the overcrowded room of fictional apocalypses. Garland is a trusted storyteller that people anxiously await new stories from, and the Boyle-Garland duo inspires hope that the third installment will be done justice. But it's also been 17 years since 28 Weeks Later was released. In those years, the apocalyptic genre has changed. People are more interested in stories that focus on human relationships and the psychological effects of society's downfall than the actual zombies themselves.

With there being so many stories already done, TV shows and movies have fallen into the traps of repeated clichés and tropes that don't sit well with viewers. The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon had the astounding potential to bring something different to the genre with the apocalypse set in France. But viewers and critics reacted negatively to its main storyline cutting too close to The Last of Us' foundational premise. 28 Years Later could be at risk of easily being something that people have already seen before. But not with a writer like Garland and an actor like Charlie Hunnam. Garland stirred conversations with his take on a divided America in Civil War, and Hunnam is a leading man in waiting.

Hunnam has yet to break through as an actor that can solely support himself in a film, and 28 Years Later could be the project that grants him that promise. At the same time, Hunnam has a chance to erupt in a dramatic and grounded role that Garland might offer. Even with his large-scale ideas, Garland is more interested in character studies, which he'll likely continue in 28 Years Later. If 28 Years Later is the film that makes Hunnam a household name, it'll give itself a prestige reputation, whether the story follows modern zombie clichés.

Charlie Hunnam's Leading Roles Haven't Given Him a Star Status

Hunnam is best known for portraying Jax on Sons of Anarchy, the leading role that made him the actor he is today. Jax was the type of dynamic character that pushed Hunnam into new territory as an actor. In the earliest seasons of the series, his portrayal came off as a silly portrait of a caricature. But the later seasons are where he really shined, mainly due to Jax's downward evolution into an anti-hero and villain. Any actor who can pull off a role that never remains stagnant is deserving of more substantial characters in their future career.

Hunnam has proven he can nail the characteristic study of his portrayals, but there's also the matter of how he'd fit into an apocalyptic scenario. Fortunately, he's got the experience of an action star in his back pocket. Hunnam certainly has the look of a rugged survivor that can hold his own, which he most recently showed off in the Rebel Moon films. Looks aren't a first-class requirement for apocalyptic films, but they certainly help shape the world and its remaining people.

The issue that Hunnam has run into in the industry is that he's not put into movies that serve him well. More often than not, he's supporting someone else in a side role that doesn't give him the right material. Directors never allow him to exude charisma, which is crucial for any leading actor. It's why all the Chrises in Hollywood -- Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Chris Hemsworth and Chris Pine -- continue to get jobs in roles that benefit them. They have the "It Factor" that lets them step outside the box. Hunnam hasn't been given that chance to show his "It Factor," but 28 Years Later would be the perfect film to showcase his talents.

Fans also clearly want to see Hunnam in more roles. He's continuously put on fancast lists for blockbuster films and popular television shows. Game of Thrones fans want to see him as Aegon the Conquerer in the new Aegon's Conquest spinoff, but unfortunately, he's too old for the role. For a long time, he was eyed for the role of Green Arrow in the DCEU and the new James Bond. It's time for Hunnam to stop being a fancast-only actor. He's ready to actually bring a role to life that he embodies with his full talents, and 28 Years Later would only benefit from putting him onboard.

28 Years Later is currently in development.