Zach Cregger Promises His RESIDENT EVIL Movie Will Tell a Brand-New Story, Not Retread the Games
Zach Cregger isn’t here to rehash the Resident Evil stories fans already know by heart. The Weapons director is diving into the world of the iconic horror franchise, but he’s making it clear to fans that his upcoming film will step outside the established narratives of the games while still staying true to their DNA.
“I am the biggest worshiper of the games, so I’m telling a story that is a love letter to the games and follows the rules of the games,” Cregger told Inverse.
He emphasized that while his film exists in the Resident Evil universe, it will focus on an entirely different set of characters.
“It is obedient to the lore of the games, it’s just a different story,” he explained. “I’m not going to tell Leon’s story, because Leon’s story is told in the games. [Fans] already have that.”
Cregger is directing from a script he co-wrote with Shay Hatten, with Constantin Film producing and co-financing. The producing team also includes Robert Kulzer, Roy Lee, Miri Yoon, and PlayStation Productions.
Since its debut in 1994 on the original PlayStation, Resident Evil has grown into one of the most successful and influential horror franchises in gaming history. The games inspired a long-running film series led by Milla Jovovich, starting with the 2002 Resident Evil and continuing through six movies, before Johannes Roberts rebooted the property in 2021 with Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City.
While fans might wonder what a new Resident Evil story could look like without Leon Kennedy, Jill Valentine, or Chris Redfield front and center, Cregger believes the franchise’s core appeal isn’t tied to specific protagonists, but to the nerve-wracking structure and atmosphere the games perfected.
“Those games pioneered something special,” he previously said. “The pacing of those games is so unique and effective, and just being locked in with one character moving from point A to point B, knowing you’re going to pass through this gauntlet of terror, and you’ve got to be methodical and thoughtful about it.
“That’s cool. That’s cinematic. So I want to tell the story in the world of the games that honors the lore of the games, but it’s a new story.”
With Cregger’s respect for the source material and his determination to chart new territory, his take on Resident Evil could be exactly the kind of fresh nightmare fans have been waiting for.