For nearly two decades, the Resident Evil film series was predominantly shaped by Paul W.S. Anderson`s six movies, which featured Milla Jovovich in the protagonist role of Alice. These films collectively generated over $1 billion globally. However, the 2021 reboot, “Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City,” had a significantly lower box office performance, earning only $42 million worldwide.
Now, Zach Cregger, the acclaimed director behind “Barbarian” and “Weapons,” has been tapped to helm a completely new Resident Evil movie. Cregger, who initially co-founded the comedy troupe The Whitest Kids U` Know and starred in sitcoms, has recently established himself as a prominent horror director. His involvement in this project ignited a competitive bidding war, ultimately won by Sony Pictures, the studio responsible for the franchise`s previous seven installments.
While many specifics regarding Cregger`s Resident Evil film remain undisclosed, this guide compiles all currently available information about the upcoming reboot.
Who is Starring in the New Resident Evil Movie?
As of now, Austin Abrams is the sole confirmed cast member for the new film. Abrams previously collaborated with Cregger on “Weapons” and has experience within zombie narratives from his time on “The Walking Dead.” He is also recognized for his portrayal of Ethan Daley in HBO`s “Euphoria.”
Will Established Resident Evil Heroes Appear?
Cregger has indicated that he does not plan to feature any of the established Resident Evil heroes in leading roles for his film. He explained, “I`m telling a story that is a love letter to the games and follows the rules of the games. It is obedient to the lore of the games; it`s just a different story. I`m not going to tell Leon`s story, because Leon`s story is told in the games. [Fans] already have that.”
In a separate interview, Cregger added, “[Resident Evil is] an original screenplay. It`s a weird story. I wrote it and I love the story. It has nothing to do with any of the other Resident Evil movies. If I do my job, it will feel fresh and edgy and weird.”
Will the Tone of Resident Evil Mirror Previous Movies?
According to Cregger, he has not seen any of the prior Resident Evil films. Instead of drawing inspiration from them, he aims to recreate the pervasive sense of dread found in the video games. Cregger stated, “I haven`t seen the [earlier Resident Evil] movies, but they don`t seem to promise that feeling [of dread]. So I wanted to write a story that would just really lean into that. Honor the games–be true to the lore of what`s going on. But I`m not telling any of the stories of the games. It`s a separate story that just happens to exist in that territory.”
He further commented, “If there are people out there who are rabid fans of the movie franchise, they are probably not really prepared for what I am going to be doing. But I think fans of the games are going to be stoked.”
During an interview with Double Toasted, Cregger mentioned that his Resident Evil movie would be “true to the experience” of the video games and likely “lives in the world” of “Resident Evil 2” and “3,” but will adhere more closely to the tone of “Resident Evil 4.” However, it is not a direct adaptation of any specific Resident Evil game.
Cregger also noted that the video games themselves do not have a rigidly defined lore or strict adherence to timelines and settings. “I don`t think I am taking any more liberties with this [movie] than the game franchise does. I think I am coloring within the lines,” he asserted. “I`ve never seen a movie like it,” he added, expressing profound excitement for the project.
The director confirmed that his distinctive sense of tone and overall filmmaking approach, honed through “Barbarian” and “Weapons,” will be evident in “Resident Evil,” albeit on a larger scale and with a more substantial budget.
“It takes place in the world of the games, but most importantly, the journey you`ll have as a viewer watching this movie is going to be similar to the journey you have as a player when you play these games. What that means is it follows one protagonist from point A to point B as they descend deeper and deeper and deeper into hell,” he explained. “As someone who has played I don`t know how many thousands and thousands of hours of Resident Evil, I just feel like I know how that pacing can go, and it`s inherently cinematic. I feel like there is a great movie that can live inside this world and inside that sort of pacing. I am really, really pumped about the story that we get to tell here.”
Finally, Cregger confirmed the shooting schedule for “Resident Evil,” stating that principal photography is set to begin this October in Prague and continue through the end of January 2026. Prague was chosen due to its generous tax rebates and other advantageous factors, making it “the right place,” according to Cregger.
When Will the New Resident Evil Movie Be Released?
The new Resident Evil movie is slated to premiere in theaters on September 18, 2026, just a few months after the game franchise celebrates its 30th anniversary.