Summary

• Danny Boyle's return for 28 Years Later is exciting, but Nia DaCosta is reportedly in talks to direct the sequel after that.
• DaCosta's success with Candyman showcases her ability to infuse horror with depth, making her an ideal choice for the next installment.
• After The Marvels' failure, returning to the more familiar realm of horror might be DaCosta's best career move.

Although Danny Boyle and Alex Garland are returning for the Cillian Murphy potentially returning for 28 Years Later gives audiences another compelling reason to watch Boyle and Garland's next foray into the post-apocalyptic survival horror genre, given the success of their original movie in 2002.

While the news is exciting, Boyle is only slated to direct the first entry in the trilogy. As such, the second and third entries in the 28 Years Later trilogy will need visionary directors to successfully continue the influential zombie series' legacy. Although Boyle seems like the ideal director for the entire trilogy, and his collaborations with Garland have produced excellent results, a relatively new horror director has already demonstrated the qualities required to successfully carry on the franchise after Boyle's exit.

Nia DaCosta's Candyman Reboot Makes Her 28 Years Later Involvement More Exciting

The Success Of DaCosta's Candyman Reboot Proves She Can Handle 28 Years Later's Horror

Nia DaCosta is in talks to direct the 28 Years Later sequel after Boyle, which is great for the franchise given her demonstrable expertise in the horror genre. DaCosta's 2021 Candyman was a strong reboot of the 1992 horror movie of the same name. Her ability to infuse classic horror with thought-provoking subtext will be integral to keeping the 28 Days Later spirit alive, and the film's undeniably distinct aesthetic can match the iconic visuals 28 Days remains renowned for. Candyman proves that DaCosta would be the perfect replacement for Boyle in the 28 Days Later franchise.

Despite DaCosta's relative newness to feature-length filmmaking and the criticism leveled against Candyman's inconsistent tone, the overall positive reception of the film, its $77 million box-office success, and her successful interpretation of Jordan Peele's screenplay further highlight the director's talent. Since Garland is expected to write the entire 28 Years Later trilogy and DaCosta has already worked with a prolific horror writer in Peele, she has the potential to deliver a great entry in the franchise.

Nia DaCosta Directing 28 Years Later's Sequel Is Her Best Genre Return Option

DaCosta's Little Woods And Candyman Were Received Better Than The Marvels

Since Candyman became one of 2021's best horror movies, it was no surprise that Marvel Studios hired Nia DaCosta to direct The Marvels, its highly-anticipated Captain Marvel sequel. Earning a little over $200 million at the box office (via BoxOfficeMojo) and scoring a tepid 62% on Rotten Tomatoes, The Marvels was a disappointment - especially by MCU standards. Many factors contributed to The Marvels' failure, but the superhero movie's performance suggests another big-budget, CGI-heavy blockbuster may not be the best way for Nia DaCosta to bounce back.

DaCosta's short films, The Black Girl Dies Last and Night and Day, demonstrated her affinity for creating moody and atmospheric horror films that appeal to newer audiences with limited financial backing. DaCosta's feature-length debut, Little Woods, enjoyed praise for her direction and strong writing, and Candyman's success improved upon the original film's legacy. While The Marvels was an ambitious project, its failure suggests 28 Years Later, which plays to those aforementioned strengths, would be her best option.

Sources: BoxOfficeMojo