The Resident Evil film franchise has taken some unique directions over the years while loosely adapting the iconic video game series of the same name. While some of these adaptations are closer to the games than others, Barbarian and Weapons director Zach Cregger has been tapped to do his own take that will respect the lore while also taking creative liberties.
Cregger revealed his plans for the new reboot while speaking with SFX Magazine. He first emphasized that he’s a big fan of the video games, and that he’s “played them all,” while Resident Evil 4 is one title in particular that he’s “just looped again and again.”
“I am a gigantic Resident Evil game fan. I’ve played them all. I don’t know how many times I’ve just looped [RE4] again and again. I just love it,” he began.
“I’m definitely not trying to be completely obedient to the lore of the games; I’m trying to tell a story that just feels authentic to the experience you get when you play the games.”
He also acknowledged that he might receive backlash for his creative decisions, but ultimately, he hopes to create “a really good movie.” As such, he hopes that fans will be proud of it in the same way that he will be.
“I don’t think I’m breaking any major rules,” Cregger said, “but I also recognize that no matter what I do, people are going to come for me online. So all I want to do is make a really good movie and tell a story that’s compelling. I know I’m going to be proud of it, and hopefully others will be too.”
With the divisiveness of Resident Evil movie adaptations, the Weapons director will have to work hard to make sure fans are satisfied, especially if he’s planning his own creative liberties. If he manages to respect the franchise’s style and lore, however, then perhaps fans will be willing to accept some changes.
Resident Evil is scheduled to hit theaters on September 18, 2026. Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any additional updates regarding the highly-anticipated adaptation as we have them. Hopefully the new film will still satisfy fans of the franchise, even if it’s not a completely “obedient” adaptation of the games.