Filmmakers are shooting the highly anticipated sequel to the iconic zombie thriller 28 Days Later, starring Cillian Murphy, entirely on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The decision to use the iPhone aligns with the growing trend of using innovative tools to enhance the filmmaking process.
The upcoming Hollywood blockbuster 28 Years Later is making waves for its unconventional filming technique. Danny Boyle is directing 28 Years Later primarily with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and Cillian Murphy stars in the film. The latest installment in the 28 Days Later zombie franchise, is set for release on June 20, 2025.
This marks the first time a major production with a $75 million budget has relied on a smartphone as its principal camera. While smaller, indie films have used iPhones in the past. For instance, Tangerine (2015) and Unsane (2018), 28 Years Later brings this approach to a much larger scale.
Apple equipped its flagship iPhone 15 Pro Max with advanced videography features. The phone is also paired with additional filming equipment, such as professional lenses and support rigs. Despite this, the choice of using a smartphone camera as the main tool is a bold move in Hollywood, challenging traditional filmmaking norms.
Homage To Original
The decision to shoot the movie on an iPhone also pays homage to the original 28 Days Later (2002), which was filmed using consumer-grade camcorders. Boyle opted for camcorders at the time to capture the raw, gritty feel of a post-apocalyptic world. Now, over two decades later, the use of the iPhone 15 Pro Max mirrors that ethos. The smartphone effortlessly blends high-end technology with a more accessible filming style. Perhaps, the upcoming third installment of the film series is being shot on yet another portable camera. Maybe they use a new technology that has not even been invented yet.
Fans are eager to see how the innovative camera work will contribute to the film’s aesthetic. Starring Cillian Murphy, who is reprising his role from the original. With cinematography by Oscar-winner Anthony Dod Mantle, 28 Years Later promises to be a visual spectacle. It remains to be seen whether it will revolutionize smartphone filmmaking. However, it has already sparked significant buzz in both the tech and film industries.
