'Later' leading man

Renner to topline '28 Weeks'

By NICOLE LAPORTE, CHRIS GARDNER

Renner

Jeremy Renner has been cast in a lead role in "28 Weeks Later," the Fox Atomic sequel to the zombie thriller "28 Days Later."

Story picks up six months after the end of the first pic, in which a virus spreads, leaving few survivors. Special Forces is working to restore order and helping repopulate London when a carrier of the virus unknowingly ignites a reinfection. Renner will play Sgt. Doyle, one of the heroes of the sequel.

Juan Carlos Fresnadillo is directing from a script by Rowan Joffe. Andrew MacDonald, Andrew Garland and Danny Boyle produce. Boyle directed the first installment.

Renner, who starred in the indie drama "Dahmer," has most recently been seen in "North Country" and "Lords of Dogtown."