Horror Fans Fear 28 Years Later May Be Canceled

One of the most popular horror franchises around could get the axe before the release of its final sequel.

According to World of Reel, the third instalment of the 28 Years Later trilogy is at risk of being canned following the poor box office performance of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.

Despite receiving rave reviews from critics, the zombie drama bombed at the box office following its release last month.

So far, it has only grossed around $57million from its $63million budget.

Despite Sony confirming in December that a third film, most likely headlined by , was in the works, the studio reportedly has cold feet now following the commercial reception to The Bone Temple. 

is said to be interested in taking the film, but director 'wants a theatrical release for this final chapter'.

Fans are already furious at the prospect of the trilogy not being concluded as intended, with one commenting, 'So we get three horrible chapters of The Strangers, but we might not get a conclusion to this masterpiece of a franchise?'

Another wrote, 'Failed by the marketing! I've met a lot of people who thought it was the same film as the first.'

A third commented, 'I don't believe it tbh. If it has Cillian Murphy in it, it will be greenlit because of his star power alone.' 

The franchise began in 2002 with the release of 28 Days Later. 

Directed by Boyle and starring Murphy in his breakout role, the gory zombie epic stunned critics and grossed over $82million on a budget of just $8million.

It was followed by 2007's 28 Weeks Later, which was another box office hit, but did not feature Murphy, Boyle, or original screenwriter Alex Garland.

The franchise then went dormant for almost two decades until Boyle reunited with Garland for 28 Years Later, which was intended to be the first instalment of a new trilogy.

The movie made over $150million at the box office and was considered a hit, but divided audiences for being more of a post-apocalyptic coming-of-age drama than a traditional zombie horror film. 

28 Years Later was filmed back-to-back with its sequel, The Bone Temple.

Directed by Nia DaCosta, who is best known for helming the Candyman remake and The Marvels (which holds the distinction of being the lowest-grossing Marvel film of all time), The Bone Temple wowed professional critics but once again divided audiences for deviating from traditional zombie fare.