“If You F**king Put That On The Film…”: Danny Boyle and Alex Garland Discuss Their 2007 Sci-Fi Movie Fallout and Its 20-Year Delay

The collaboration between director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland in 28 Days Later stands as a highly influential milestone in film history. Released in 2002, this gripping zombie thriller features Cillian Murphy in the role of Jim, a desperate survivor navigating a post-apocalyptic London after the outbreak of the Rage Virus. Although their initial partnership in 2000’s The Beach did not receive significant acclaim, their work on 28 Days Later marked the beginning of a noteworthy creative bond.

Following the success of the first film, Boyle and Garland served as executive producers for the sequel, 28 Weeks Later, in 2007. After an 18-year hiatus during which they developed their individual careers, they have reunited for a new installment, 28 Years Later. In this forthcoming project, Boyle will return as director while Garland will assume screenwriting duties, revitalizing their partnership after almost two decades. During this time, Boyle created award-winning films such as Slumdog Millionaire (2008), 127 Hours (2010), and Steve Jobs (2015), whereas Garland made his mark with directorial endeavors like Ex Machina (2014), Annihilation (2018), and the anticipated Civil War (2024). It was recently revealed what kept them apart during these years.

Interestingly, Murphy has also taken on the role of executive producer for 28 Years Later, and is expected to reprise his iconic role as Jim in the sequel titled 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which has already been filmed.

Danny Boyle & Alex Garland Recall Falling Out While Making Sunshine

The 2007 Sci-Fi Created A Rift Between Them

Cillian Murphy as Capa looking at the sun as the bomb explodes in Sunshine.

Before their collaboration on 28 Years Later, Boyle and Garland faced a significant disagreement during the filming of Sunshine in 2007. This sci-fi thriller follows a crew’s perilous mission to reignite the fading sun, which is complicated by their encounter with a previous spaceship sent on the same mission. In addition to Murphy, the film features notable performances from Chris Evans, Rose Byrne, Hiroyuki Sanada, and Michelle Yeoh. This project served as a reunion for the trio following their successful partnership in 28 Days Later.

In a recent interview with Empire promoting 28 Years Later, Boyle and Garland opened up about their creative fallout during the making of Sunshine. Boyle admitted, “We had a falling out. It was my fault,”indicating the tension stemmed from a fundamental disagreement regarding the film’s narrative style. Garland advocated for leaving space for audience interpretation, a principle he consistently emphasizes in his scripts. Yet Boyle felt a more concrete explanation was needed for the story. He elaborated:

“Sci-fi. F—ing Christ. You are really inventing the world in every single precious detail. I remember becoming obsessed with that. I wrote a prologue to try to explain it all and [Alex] said, ‘If you f—ing put that on the film, I’m off.’

Despite the conflict, Boyle revealed that Garland later expressed his regret through a heartfelt letter, stating:

“You wrote a very sweet note, saying, ‘I’m sorry we had such a miserable time together and I hope you have a much better time on the next film. I’ve still got the note.’

Years after Sunshine, they reestablished communication when Garland directed Ex Machina, sharing it with Boyle for feedback. Garland reflected, “I thought, ‘I need to show this to Danny. I need to know what Danny thinks’… Then I remember reaching out.”This rekindling of their friendship opened the door for discussions about continuing the 28 Days Later saga.

What Boyle & Garland’s Reunion Means For 28 Years Later

Sunshine’s Reception Explained

Ralph Fiennes standing among towers of bones in 28 Years Later — Sony Pictures Releasing

With a shared history of impactful films, Boyle and Garland’s partnership is filled with promise. 28 Days Later significantly redefined the zombie genre with its innovative portrayal of fast-moving zombies, while Sunshine has evolved into a respected piece of science fiction cinema. Although initial reviews for Sunshine were mixed and it struggled at the box office, it has since garnered a loyal cult following due to its unique blend of grand sci-fi concepts and psychological horror.

Currently, Sunshine holds a 76% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, having earned just $34 million at the box office, which highlights the gap between initial reception and enduring appreciation. This history bodes well for the anticipated audience response to 28 Years Later.

Source: Empire

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