After the global success of28 Years Later,director Danny Boyle is showing no signs of slowing down, with a new movie on the horizon.28 Years Latermarked the third installmentin the franchise and Boyle’s long-awaited return to the post-apocalyptic genre he helped define. The film received positive reviews and grossed $150 million worldwide.
Critics praised the intense pacing, atmospheric dread, and28 Years Later’scast— especially Jack O’Connell’s performance as Sir Jimmy Crystal — with Boyle gearing up for another sequel in 2026.For Boyle,28 Years Later’ssuccess reaffirmed his reputation as one of the most versatile directors,capable of dramatic genre shifts. Now, the Oscar-winning filmmaker is pivoting once more.
According to a report byDeadline,28 Years Later’sJack O’Connell may reunite with Boyle for his new movie,Ink.The upcoming film will adapt James Graham’s acclaimed stage play, which focuses on media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s rise in the U.K. newspaper scene throughThe Sun’s transformation, and his partnership with editor Larry Lamb.
According toDeadline’ssources,Boyle’s top choices, Guy Pearce and O’Connell, are currently in talks to play Murdoch and Larry Lamb.Ink —which has been adapted into a screenplay by original writer Graham —will be produced by director Danny Boyle, Tessa Ross (Slumdog Millionaire), and Michael Ellenberg (Prometheus).Inkis reportedly set to shoot in October 2025.
What This Casting Update Means For Danny Boyle’s Ink
Inkmarks a return to the kind of character-driven, socially charged storytelling that defines some ofDanny Boyle’s best work.While it lacks the overt action or horror elements of28 Days LaterorTrainspotting,Inkoffers a different high-stakes narrativethat will explore ambition, power, and media ethics in the world of newsrooms, backroom deals, and public manipulation.
Pearce’s recent awards momentum forThe BrutalistmakesInka strategically sharp casting decision, as he would bring credibility to the Rupert Murdoch role. Likewise,O’Connell’s growing profile as an intense, grounded performer makes him a natural fit for a figure like Larry Lamb,as a man caught between journalistic tradition and the disruptive tactics of Murdoch’s empire.
Our Take On Danny Boyle’s New Movie
There have already been a few adaptations of Murdoch’s story,with things likeSuccessionbeing heavily inspired by the Murdoch family. However, none have truly touched upon his rise in the U.K. tabloids the way Graham’s narrative does. With a knack for humanizing larger-than-life figures in movies likeSlumdog MillionaireandSteve Jobs, I can’t think of anyone better to directInk.
As a well-known and acclaimed actor, Pearce would bring the perfect gravitas to the role of Rupert Murdoch. Similarly,Jack O’Connell has dominated horror movies this year, showcasing his acting prowess. With three significant names potentially on board and a28 Years Laterreunion,Inkis gearing up for success, especially considering today’s issues, making Murdoch’s story timely and culturally potent.
