tech
January 20, 2026
Release the beast! How Iron Maiden and a naked Ralph Fiennes created the ultimate big-screen needle drop
The Number of the Beast lights up an unforgettable scene in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple thanks to director Nia DaCosta expertly blending ‘craziness and romance’
TL;DR
- Ralph Fiennes' semi-naked dance to Iron Maiden's "The Number of the Beast" in "28 Years Later: The Bone Temple" surprised audiences.
- Director Nia DaCosta confirmed Alex Garland wrote the song into the script.
- Iron Maiden rarely licenses their music, with their management team concerned about the band being mocked in popular culture.
- The band's management regretted allowing a character in "Hot Tub Time Machine" to wear an Iron Maiden shirt.
- Iron Maiden's "The Trooper" saw a 252% rise in streaming after being featured in "Stranger Things."
- The band's music budget is often a low priority in film productions, which has historically led Iron Maiden to decline licensing requests.
- The success of the scene in "28 Years Later" validates Iron Maiden's value and provides validation from a new audience.
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