Danny Boyle’s upcoming zombie sequel, “28 Years Later,” has employed several iPhone 15 Pro Max smartphones for its production, making it the largest film ever made using iPhones, with a budget estimated at around $75 million, as reported by Wired.
There are, however, significant points to consider regarding this production approach. Primarily, the sources of this information are anonymous due to the non-disclosure agreements signed by the film’s staff. Furthermore, the entire film was not exclusively shot using the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Boyle and his team incorporated a variety of cameras throughout production, with the iPhone serving as one of many tools, as confirmed by Engadget.
The iPhones were not simply set on tripods for filming. Each device was adapted to work with full-frame DSLR lenses, which are professional-grade and quite expensive. Additionally, the smartphones were placed within protective cages to facilitate their use in the production process.
This method signifies a technological and creative full-circle moment for Boyle and his team. The original “28 Days Later” was principally shot using a prosumer-grade camcorder, costing around $4,000 at the time, which recorded footage onto MiniDV tapes.
“28 Years Later,” slated for release in June 2025, is the third installment in the franchise. The film features a star-studded cast including Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, and Cillian Murphy. It marks the first of three new movies set in the universe of fast-moving rage zombies. While plot details remain undisclosed, all three upcoming films are penned by Alex Garland. Garland co-wrote the original film and has since directed notable projects like “Ex Machina,” “Annihilation,” and, most recently, “Civil War.” He also created the critically acclaimed TV show “Devs.”
The use of smartphones in filmmaking is not new to Hollywood. Previous examples include Sean Baker’s “Tangerine” and Steven Soderbergh’s “Unsane,” both of which were shot using iPhones.
