Director Danny Boyle shared in a recent interview that Alex Garland‘s unmade Sunshine trilogy concept was originally envisioned as a three-part saga that, if realized, might have transformed the landscape of science fiction cinema. Although the initial 2007 film brought together an ensemble cast and explored a daring space mission, its lackluster box office performance halted Garland’s ambitious plans to expand the story further.
Initial Plans for a Groundbreaking Trilogy
The 2007 release of Sunshine, written by Alex Garland and directed by Danny Boyle, followed a group of astronauts, including future Oscar winners Cillian Murphy and Michelle Yeoh, as they traveled through space to reignite the failing Sun. According to Boyle, the original intent reached far beyond this singular mission. In an interview with Collider, Boyle discussed the broader vision stating,
“Originally, when we were doing it, Alex wrote two other parts,”
—Danny Boyle, Director, and added,
“It was supposed to be a trilogy.”
—Danny Boyle, Director.
Boyle hinted that the sequels, written by Garland but never produced, would have taken audiences on further journeys across planets following the successful repair of the Sun. He emphasized,
“It was a planetary trilogy. It was to do with the sun itself, with two other stories… it was interplanetary stuff…”
—Danny Boyle, Director.
Why the Trilogy Never Materialized
Despite hopes for an innovative series, the sequels stalled at the concept stage. The cinematic performance of Sunshine played a decisive role: the film struggled to recoup its $40 million budget and did not spark enough commercial enthusiasm to justify additional installments. Boyle’s remarks suggest that Garland kept the trilogy’s specifics guarded, perhaps intending to use the ideas in future projects.
Boyle and Garland’s Continuing Collaboration
While the Sunshine trilogy never advanced, Boyle and Garland have remained creative partners. This month, their reunion unfolds with the UK release of 28 Years Later, an awaited continuation of 28 Days Later. The upcoming release marks another entry in their ongoing partnership, one that also produced The Beach and saw Garland branch into directing acclaimed films like Civil War and Ex Machina.
The future of the 28 Days Later franchise now includes a full trilogy. 28 Years Later’s story arc will continue with 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, directed by Nia DaCosta and scheduled for 2026, with Boyle set to direct the concluding chapter.
Departing from Previous Films
Interestingly, 28 Years Later will not follow the plot of Juan Carlos Fresnadillo’s 2007 sequel, 28 Weeks Later, which showed the Rage virus spreading into Europe. Boyle addressed this creative decision directly:
“There’s nothing wrong with 28 Weeks Later,”
—Danny Boyle, Director, and further remarked,
“We just decided not to follow those story elements. And it’s a bold choice we decided to declare up front by saying the Rage Virus was driven back from mainland Europe.”
—Danny Boyle, Director.
Looking Ahead to New Projects
With 28 Years Later debuting in UK cinemas on June 20th, attention is focused once again on Danny Boyle, Alex Garland, and their ever-evolving collaborations. While Garland’s unmade Sunshine trilogy concept remains unfulfilled, its vision suggests what might have been a defining moment for the genre. As both filmmakers look to new stories, science fiction fans continue to wonder how the original trilogy could have reshaped the cinematic landscape had it been realized.
