Filmmaker Danny Boyle is using modern technology to make his upcoming sequel 28 Years Later stand out. For some scenes, Boyle and his team shot footage using as many as 20 iPhones at the same time.
This approach is a big change from the original 2002 film 28 Days Later, which was filmed on older miniDV camcorders to create a raw, handheld look. The new film will have a wide 2.76:1 screen format, giving it a more immersive feel.
Boyle worked with his longtime cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle to build special camera rigs holding 8, 10, and even 20 iPhones side by side.
This setup helped create unique shots and special effects, including a “poor man’s bullet time” effect. The multiple cameras allow editors to switch between different angles quickly, making action scenes feel more intense.
Boyle said the 20-phone rig was used for a dramatic and graphic shot in the second half of the film that will surprise viewers.
Besides iPhones, the production also used traditional cameras, drones, and sensors to capture the story’s fast-paced action.
28 Years Later is scheduled to hit theaters on June 20, 2025. Fans of the original film and new viewers alike can expect a fresh take on the zombie apocalypse with cutting-edge filming techniques.
