28 Days Later’s Ebola-inspired “rage virus"is the agent of the apocalypse.
It is a lab-created illness that turns regular human beings into furious, animalistic creatures.
This results in him getting shot and leaves him fighting for his life.
Major West’s betrayal sets up three of28 Days Later’s four different endings.
Fortunately for audiences, this is not the case.
While this ending was well-received, Danny Boyle had considered three other endings.
Fox Searchlight Pictures
It is a common saying that when you die, your life flashes before your eyes.
Two of the endings make it clear that Jim didn’t survive.
Hannah calls out the medications to Selena, who was a chemist.
28 Days Later is a horror movie about the zombie apocalypse directed by Danny Boyle. After Jim (Cillian Murphy) wakes up from a coma in a deserted hospital in London, he discovers that the city is overrun by the undead, so he joins forces with other survivors to try and make it out alive.
Boyle also filmed a much more ambiguous version, which was not his original plan.
28 Days Laterwas filmed on a surprisingly low budget of just $8 million.
The ambiguous freeze-frame ending was his solution.
The action stopped as Hannah crashed the taxi through the gates.
Test audiences saw the original ending as hopeless, with Selena and Hannah walking to their deaths.
This was far darker than intended, andDanny Boyle made a controversial ending change, allowing Jim to survive.
Similarly, the storyboarded ending saved the life of a different character.
That said,28 Days Laterhas another tragic moment that shocked its audience.
In the final alternative ending, Jim knocks out the infected Frank and takes him to a laboratory.
Hiding here is a scientist, who reveals that a full blood transfusion will cure the rage virus.
It was already established that the rage virus was so highly contagious that just one drop would infect you.
This would make a blood transfusion too simple and unrealistic of an answer.
Which 28 Days Later Ending Is Canon For 28 Years Later?
If so, this means that28 Days Later’s theatrical ending will be the canon ending for28 Years Later.
Here’s what that’s the case.
The franchise is set to continue with a new trilogy, beginning with28 Years Laterin 2025.
