Zach Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’ Film Breaks Tradition: No Classic Characters, Fresh New Tale!

Zach Cregger has made it clear that he has no intention of revisiting any existing narratives from the “Resident Evil” series in his upcoming film adaptation.

Cregger, who is also the director of “Weapons,” expressed to Inverse his commitment to crafting an original story while staying true to the foundational elements of the original games.

He stated, “I have immense respect and adoration for the original games, and my aim is to create a narrative that acts as a tribute to them without altering their established universe.”

Taking on the role of director for this new venture into the iconic horror video game franchise, Cregger has also participated in writing the screenplay with collaborator Shay Hatten. The production and co-financing of the movie are being handled by Constantin Film.

Alongside Constantin Film, the movie is also being produced by Robert Kulzer from Constantin, as well as Roy Lee and Miri Yoon from Vertigo Entertainment, and PlayStation Productions.

Cregger plans to explore new narrative territory that diverges from the original characters of the video games, yet he assures fans that the essence and lore of the series will be preserved.

He explained, “The story I want to tell respects the game’s rich background but ventures into new narrative directions. I won’t retell Leon’s story; it’s already well-covered by the games. This will be something fans haven’t seen before.”

The “Resident Evil” game first launched in 1994 on PlayStation, eventually expanding to other platforms. The first film adaptation hit the screens in 2002, starring Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez.

Jovovich starred in several sequels, including “Resident Evil: Apocalypse” (2004), “Resident Evil: Extinction” (2007), “Resident Evil: Afterlife” (2010), “Resident Evil: Retribution” (2012), and “Resident Evil: The Final Chapter” (2017). In 2021, the franchise saw a reboot with “Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City,” written and directed by Johannes Roberts.

In anticipation of the release of “Weapons” on August 8, Cregger shared with The Bangin Beats his aspiration to replicate the immersive experience of the “Resident Evil” games in his film.

He remarked, “The original games were groundbreaking in their design and pacing. The way they engage the player in a continuous, suspenseful journey from start to finish is not just thrilling; it’s inherently cinematic. My goal is to bring that same atmosphere and meticulous approach to the new story set in this universe, honoring the lore while introducing a fresh narrative.”