28 Years Laterwill retcon the last movie’s ending, which means one huge mystery in the franchise may never get solved. The upcoming project will follow a group of survivors living off the mainland in the UK.The cast for28 Years Lateris already shaping up to be a spectacular affair, including the likes of Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes. With the “rage virus” growing stronger, the new chapter in the post-apocalyptic world could be the most compelling story yet. However, a recent interview withEmpirereveals the rest of the world remains unaffected by the outbreak.

The writer for28 Years Laterhas since addressed the confusing canon after making the decisive move to ignore its predecessors. The final scene of28 Weeks Latershows a mass of infected in the streets of Paris, suggesting that the outbreak has spread to other countries —an international epidemic that28 Years Laterwill overlook. What’s more notable,28 Weeks Laterreveals Andy has immunity. That being said, the confirmed details of28 Years Laterimply this intended route may get disregarded, as the virus is unable to be contained, or controlled.

Tammy (Imogen Poots) and Andy (Mackintosh Muggleton) scream in 28 Weeks Later

If 28 Years Later Ignores The Last Movie’s Ending, We’ll Never Find Out About Andy’s Immunity

28 Years LaterCould Backtrack On28 Weeks Later’s Big Cliffhanger

There are huge implications for28 Years Laterignoring the previous movie’s ending, one of which suggests audiences may never find out anymore about Andy’s immunity to the Rage Virus. For the most part,28 Weeks Laterends with uncertainty around Andy and Tammy’s survival. The children reach Wembley Stadium, where Flynn discovers Andy was bitten by his father. He decides to fly them out of Britain, but their fate is left open to interpretation. Interestingly, Andy is asymptomatic like his mother and does not show signs of aggression, but it’s unclear why, or how, Alice and Andy are exempt.

Frustratingly, the immunity to the virus cannot be explored further if28 Years Laterdoes retconthe previous chapter. What makes this worse is thatimmunity within the family is a crucial element in the evolving narrative of the series.28 Weeks Latershows that Alice and Andy are still carriers, whether they developed immunity or not — proving that the “rage virus” has the ability to evolve. Andy’s contrasting experience with his mother’s would have offered an excellent opportunity for further exploration, particularly considering28 Years Laterhighlights how the virus has changed in response to humans with growing immunity.

Jimmy graffiti image from 28 Years Later trailer

The Outbreak Would Have Been Contained Far Quicker If There Was A Cure

If Andy’s immunity had led to a cure, the events of28 Years Laterwould be far less impactful. A cure would accelerate the rate at which the virus could be contained on a global scale, which reduces the stakes for any future installment. This is along with the original sequel implying that the infection was rapidly abating, as a result of the victims dying from starvation. As the entire premise for the upcoming movie hinges on the reintroduction of the “rage virus,“if a cure existed, there would be no need for the new story.

28 Years Later Update Makes The Darkest Theory About Cillian Murphy’s Jim More Likely

28 Years Later premieres in June 2025 and one update regarding the film makes a dark theory about Cillian Murphy’s character, Jim, much more credible.

In addition to this, the core of the franchise rests upon the dread surrounding the re-emergence of the virus.With a cure, there would be little need for heightened levels of suspense,which is ultimately what sets this franchise apart from other films within the zombie subgenre. Evidently, the threat posed by the virus would be far less imminent, meaning there wouldn’t necessarily be a need for military action or quarantine zones. It’s likely that28 Years Latercould not exist if Andy’s immunity set up a cure, as the outbreak would not last long enough to justify the sequel.

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Is 28 Years Later Not Following 28 Weeks Later The Right Call?

More Details About28 Years LaterAre Required Before Making A Decision

It is difficult to say whether28 Years Laterdiverting from28 Weeks Lateris the right call without knowing more about the upcoming feature.There are bound to be some disappointed viewers if28 Years Laterignores28 Weeks Later, as disregarding the efforts of previous films often alienates audiences as it renders prior plot points and character growth meaningless. What’s more, the extended timeframe could mean28 Years Later’s focus on new characters may leave more unanswered questions about the fate of its previous heroes, such as Cillian Murphy’s Jim from28 Days Later.

A redirection means the creators can create a new and fresh premise, which makes the monsters pose a far greater threat than they had previously.

Shifting away from28 Weeks Later’s canon could benefit28 Years Later. Considering its status as one of the most beloved franchises in the horror genre,there are tremendously high expectations for the new movie. Consequently, it would be beneficial for28 Years Laterto deviate from28 Weeks Later’s more contentious elements. A redirection means the creators can create a fresh premise, where the infected pose a far greater threat than they had previously. The trailer for28 Years Laterhints that28 Weeks Laterwon’t fully impact the series, which is an important development for the franchise.