The classic zombie film "28 Days Later" not only revitalized the zombie genre but also fundamentally reshaped audience perceptions of the undead. Recently, director and screenwriter Alex Garland, in an interview with GQ, revealed the unexpected creative inspiration behind the film: the 90s horror game series "Resident Evil."
During the interview, Garland recalled encountering the original "Resident Evil" game on PlayStation back in the day. He stated that the game not only reignited his passion for the zombie genre but also made him ponder new possibilities for the undead.
As he became more familiar with the gameplay, he realized that most of the zombies in the game weren't particularly frightening, as they could be easily avoided by simply walking a bit faster. However, one element truly instilled fear in him: the sudden attacks and high-speed movement of the zombie dogs.
“Those dogs would suddenly burst out and make me jump,” Garland recounted. “I think that’s when I started thinking, ‘What if zombies could run that fast?’” Thus, the memorable "running zombies" concept, which became a hallmark of "28 Days Later," began to take shape in his mind.
This groundbreaking idea not only injected new life into the zombie genre but also inspired subsequent fast-paced zombie films like "World War Z" and "Train to Busan," which center their scares around speed. "28 Days Later" and its sequel, "28 Weeks Later," became significant milestones in contemporary zombie cinema.
Now, Garland is also developing a new trilogy, "28 Years Later," advancing the story nearly three decades after the original events. The first installment is slated for release this summer, with the sequel "28 Years Later Part II: The Bone Temple" expected in early 2026. The third installment's release date has yet to be announced.
Interestingly, this wave of zombie resurgence appears set to once again intersect with "Resident Evil." Sony Pictures is currently developing a new "Resident Evil" reboot film, directed by Zach Cregger ("Barbarian"), slated for a September 2026 release. While plot details remain under wraps, it is rumored that the film will not directly adapt the game's storyline but will instead feature a new setting while retaining the classic style of the "Resident Evil" series.
via： GQ