Zach Cregger, known for directing Weapons and Barbarian, has been granted full creative freedom for his upcoming Resident Evil film.
His new Resident Evil movie adaptation is expected to diverge from previous film versions, as it will not feature familiar characters like Leon S. Kennedy or Chris Redfield, nor will it directly adapt any specific game plot.
Previous Resident Evil film adaptations include the six movies directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and starring Milla Jovovich, which loosely adapted elements from Capcom’s games, concluding with 2016’s Resident Evil: The Final Chapter. A subsequent reboot, 2021’s Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, featured a younger cast but did not perform well, leading to the cancellation of its planned sequels.
The franchise is now undergoing another reboot, with Cregger leading the project in a distinctly new direction.
Oliver Berben from Constantin Film, the production company, stated to Deadline that Resident Evil has been an incredibly successful international IP, generating over a billion dollars at the box office. He added that the goal is to create something new, allowing a new generation to shape the IP in a different way.
Berben further elaborated on the project’s editing process, noting that the film stands apart from existing Resident Evil connections due to Zach Cregger’s unique style.
The Resident Evil Movies in (Chronological) Order
Last year, Cregger mentioned that his film would respect the game’s lore while presenting a distinct narrative not previously seen in Capcom’s franchise. He explained that he would not retell Leon’s story, as it is already covered in the games and familiar to fans.
Cregger is both writing and directing the movie, which is scheduled for a September 18, 2026 release. Austin Abrams (Euphoria, Wolfs) and Paul Walter Hauser (Fantastic Four: The First Steps) are cast in starring roles.
In related Resident Evil video game news, the anticipated Resident Evil Requiem is set to launch soon. Spoilers have already emerged due to early copies leaking.
