Credit: Maximilian Bühn

’28 Years Later’ director Danny Boyle reveals why he turned down ‘Alien: Resurrection’

Thu 19 June 2025 18:16, UK

Danny Boyle, director of the much-anticipated upcoming horror 28 Years Later, has revealed why he turned down the chance to direct Alien: Resurrection.

In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the director opened up about the reality of being in high demand after the success of his 1996 triumph Trainspotting, based on the book by Irvine Welsh.

Though a directorial role for the new Alien movie “came his way” after Trainspotting, Welsh didn’t sign the dotted line to take on the project. He revealed, “I met Sigourney Weaver and Winona Ryder, who were attached to it. So obviously it was pretty serious. They were wonderful.”

However, the timing was off. Boyle continued: “It was the early days of the CG crossover. That moment where it was transitioning. And I couldn’t handle the CG. I was very passionate about it, because I loved the Alien idea. I just suddenly had a rare moment of clarity, thinking, ‘You are not the right guy for this.'”

Instead of Alien: Resurrection, Boyle would pick up A Life Less Ordinary, a romantic black comedy starring Ewan McGregor and Cameron Diaz. In the movie, Celine, the daughter of a wealthy businessman played by Diaz, is kidnapped by Robert, played by McGregor, who her father fired. The pain quickly turns into passion.

However, Boyle was realistic about the perception of this movie in comparison to Alien: Resurrection. He said, “I went off to make A Life Less Ordinary instead. That was 20th Century folks as well. I didn’t do Alien and I went and made this flop for them instead! But it’s water under the bridge.”

At a special event on June 1st, Boyle teased fans with the promise of twists and turns in the storyline. “What Alex [Garland, the film’s writer] and I were determined to do was surprise people – it’s why Sony won’t show the whole film yet because they want it to be revealed as late as possible for the pleasure of the storytelling.”

28 Years Later arrives in cinemas on June 20th.