Zach Cregger thought his decisions for Resident Evil would be better received by fans of the games.
Resident Evil is returning to theaters, and no, Paul W.S. Anderson or Milla Jovovich have nothing to do with it. Instead, Zach Cregger(Weapons, Barbarian)—a true horror specialist—is taking on one of the biggest video game franchises of all time.
Why Resident Evil Doesn’t Retell the History of Games
And to that end, Cregger makes a few decisions that are sure to raise a few eyebrows among some gaming fans.So Resident Evil (as the film is titled) doesn’t simply reimagine the adventures of Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, or Leon S. Kennedy; instead, we get a story that could take place parallel to the original.
The emphasis here is oncould. That’s because Cregger’s film takes on the setting of Raccoon City, but not only transports it to winter—it also moves it from the ’90s to the present day. In an interview withIGN, the director admits that he believed his decisions would be better received by the audience:
I think I was very naive. I thought fans of the games would be—just like me—thrilled that someone was coming along to make a survival horror movie based on Resident Evil. I thought to myself:This is going to be great.
I feel like we’ve been waiting forever for Leon’s story, and it hasn’t really been given its due. I understand that, and I’m sorry that this isn’t the story I’m telling.
I understand the frustration. I actually understand it very well, because I haven’t seen the previous Resident Evil movies—they just don’t match the Resident Evil that I love. So how could I blame the fans for feeling the same way [about my movie]?
A Declaration of Love to the Games
This is now the second reboot and the eighth theatrical film in the Resident Evil franchise, centered on courier Bryan (Austin Abrams), who is trying to deliver an important medical shipment to the heart of Raccoon City. And well, along the way, he has to deal with all sorts of terrifying creatures and undead monsters.
Above all, Cregger aims to bring the feel of the Resident Evil video games to the big screen.Specifically, the film focuses on constant fear, ammunition shortages, and the search for the right escape route.
I just hope that they’ll watch the movie—regardless of their skepticism or disappointment about it […]. And that, while watching the movie, they’ll feel understood and recognize all the love for the games that’s poured into this film. Because it’s definitely there.
This isn’t about me just telling a story and slapping the “Resident Evil” label on it to secure a budget. This is about me telling a Resident Evil story. I understand the resistance—I really do—because I’ve felt it myself. And it stems from genuine love.
Resident Evil opens in German theaters on September 17, 2026. Alongside Austin Abrams, actors and actresses such as Kali Reis, Paul Walter Hauser, Zach Cherry, and Johnno Wilson appear in supporting roles.
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