‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’ Director Nia DaCosta Speaks Out on Box Office Disappointment

Big franchises don’t always follow a straight path. Sometimes a movie lands well with critics and fans, but the numbers don’t match the reaction, and that can leave filmmakers in a strange position.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is the second chapter in a planned trilogy from Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland. Directed by Nia DaCosta, the film continues the story introduced in the previous installment and was shot back-to-back with it as part of a larger plan for the franchise.

According to information shared in an interview with Empire magazine, DaCosta spoke openly about her reaction to the film’s performance.

She said she was surprised by how strong the early signals were compared to the final box office results. She explained, “It’s so funny, because literally every barometer we use in the industry to determine whether or not a movie is good, and people like it and want to see it, was through the roof, and yet our box office wasn’t there.”

The film earned around $58 million worldwide, according to box office data reported in the same coverage. That is noticeably lower than its predecessor, which brought in more than $150 million globally. Despite the difference in numbers, both films were generally well received by critics and audiences.

DaCosta also reflected on possible reasons for the drop. She suggested the timing between releases might have played a role, since audiences did not have to wait long between films. She said, “Maybe too soon, because people were like, ‘Oh yeah, I saw that last summer!’ I’m like, ‘No, no, so there’s a sequel!’”

Even with the financial outcome, she made it clear she stands by her work. She shared a personal mindset she has carried through her career, saying, “My career is for you to enjoy.” She added that while she was disappointed the film did not earn more money, she still felt proud of what was achieved. “I’m so happy that when people find the film, they’re going to enjoy the film. I wish it made more money, but I’m really proud of it.”

The story of the franchise continues to attract attention because it was designed as a connected trilogy from the beginning. The third film is still expected to happen, though there has been no clear update following the latest box office results. The idea remains that the story will be completed as planned, but future steps may depend on how the second chapter performs in the longer term.

28 Years Later set up the world, and The Bone Temple expands it further, following characters in a harsh post-apocalyptic setting where survival is unpredictable and new threats continue to emerge. The cast includes Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell, Alfie Williams, Erin Kellyman, and Chi Lewis-Parry.

Despite mixed financial results, the film’s reception shows that audience interest is still there. The gap between critical response and box office performance has become a talking point in the industry, especially for franchise films released close together.

For now, DaCosta remains focused on the work itself rather than the numbers, while fans wait to see whether the final chapter of the trilogy will move forward as originally planned.

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