Danny Boyle uses the iPhone 15 Pro Max to film “28 Years Later”

Principal photography for “28 Years Later,” a sequel to the “28 Days Later” series, took place in the summer. But while filming was largely kept secret, information about the filming schedule has leaked out.

Several people familiar with the production confirmed Wired that the iPhone 15 Pro Max was used by director Boyle and cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle.

During filming, non-disclosure agreements prohibited staff from revealing information, but a July recording suggested that no regular cameras were used during filming.

The shot shows star Jodie Cromer next to a film camera that at first glance looked like typical large-format camera equipment. However, upon closer inspection, the publication found that it was a cinema camera lens, but attached to a protective case that could accommodate an iPhone.

The housing is believed to be an aluminum cage that will not only protect the camera hardware but also allow for easy attachment of adapters. Some of these adapters could be used to connect large lenses to smartphone cameras, expanding the director's shooting options.

Filming with a smartphone, such as an iPhone, is nothing new for Boyle. Shooting 28 Days Later had time constraints that didn't work with traditional camera equipment, which forced Boyle to think differently.

For this film, he used the Canon XL-1, a prosumer camcorder that recorded on MiniDV cassettes, but the limitations of video technology in 2002 led to problems such as the inability to properly upscale the lower resolution (480p) footage.

Since the iPhone 15 Pro Max can record in 4K, this problem will certainly not occur.

With the release of the iPhone 15 Pro, Apple introduced many filmmaker-friendly features, including the ability to record ProRes 4K video at 60 frames per second to an external USB-C drive. Apple also included the ability to record in a flat profile, which helps with color correction when editing, as well as ACES support, among other updates.

The iPhone's technical capabilities have been used more extensively in productions, such as the early 2018 production “Unsane.” Broadcasters have also used the hardware for outside broadcasts, including the BBC in its coverage of the British elections and various productions during the coronavirus pandemic.

“28 Years Later” is expected to be released in summer 2025.