Danny Boyle reflects on his groundbreaking film, 28 Days Later, and shares insights into the future of the franchise.
Danny Boyle Discusses His Vision for the ’28 Days’ Franchise
When Danny Boyle and Alex Garland created 28 Days Later in the early 2000s, the world was not clamoring for another zombie movie. However, they tapped into a pressing need for answers to the violence that was permeating society.
Were humans the virus that had gone too far? Or could we go further?
Insights from Danny Boyle
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Boyle shared his thoughts on the origins of 28 Days Later. He stated, “For a modern audience, the zombies had to be a credible threat. This involved mass velocity and visceral impact to create a truly frightening film. We experimented with various camera types, which liberated us in many ways, despite facing numerous technical challenges.”
Once Boyle and his team embraced digital cameras, they realized they had captured a film that resonated with contemporary viewers and reflected the world as they saw it.
He explained, “It aided us in filming deserted scenes. We couldn’t afford to close London’s bridges or create extensive CGI. The digital cameras allowed us to capture shots of empty streets in the early morning before they became busy. However, in some wide shots, the resolution was so poor that Cillian Murphy appeared as just two green squares. We had to cut the shot before viewers realized it wasn’t a recognizable human figure moving across the desolate London landscape.”
As I mentioned earlier, I perceived this film as a response to the post-9/11 climate. Interestingly, the crew was filming during the 9/11 attacks. Boyle recounted, “We were high up in the Balfron Tower, shooting a family scene with Brendan Gleeson, Cillian, and Naomi Harris. It happened over lunch. Upon returning to the tower, we saw the footage, and rumors about planes heading for London began circulating. Nobody knew what was happening. It was a tense moment. We had televisions in the small room adjacent to the main living area where we were filming, and everyone kept going in and out to check the news. It undoubtedly altered the film’s nature.”
The fear captured in the movie resonated with audiences, who were not merely escaping reality but confronting the emotions of that day through a zombie film set in London.
Returning to the Franchise
Years later, Boyle is set to return to the franchise with 28 Years Later. The journey back has been significant, with Sony acquiring the rights to a new trilogy of films after a competitive bidding process.
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As they embark on this new installment, Boyle aims to continue pushing boundaries, utilizing up to 20 iPhones simultaneously to explore contemporary humanity.
During the filmmaking process, they also relied on test screenings to refine their approach. Boyle reflected on this experience, saying, “This will read poorly unless expressed brilliantly. I learned I was correct. (Laughs.) It reads like terrible ignorance, especially since the film hasn’t premiered yet. It could end up like another Life Less Ordinary! God help us. (Laughs) The experience of sitting with audiences unfamiliar with the film, apart from knowing it’s a sequel, is enlightening. Young directors often resist this feedback out of fear, as they feel locked into their editing. They don’t want anyone altering their vision. However, it’s crucial to learn tough lessons about your work that you must respond to. You discover valuable insights that help you improve. In this case, I realized we’re on the right track.”
This meticulous attention to detail and responsiveness to audience preferences is a refreshing approach. I appreciate how Boyle uses this experience to grow and refine his craft.
I’m genuinely excited for this upcoming film and all of Boyle’s future projects.
Share your thoughts in the comments!
