Zach Cregger, the visionary writer-director behind the celebrated horror films Barbarian and Weapons, recently shared intriguing details about his upcoming Resident Evil movie.
Speaking to Fangoria, Cregger revealed that his film will not rehash Leon’s well-known story and, notably, will not feature any of the beloved characters from the games. Instead, he aims to craft an entirely original narrative that seamlessly integrates into the established Resident Evil world, specifically drawing inspiration from the Resident Evil 2 universe.
“I’m telling my story that exists in the world of Resident Evil 2. You could play Resident Evil 2 and never know that the events of my story are happening right over there, but they are,” he explained. “I’m following the rules, but I’m not claiming any key, canon characters because we have those in the games.”
Before this, Cregger said his Resident Evil movie probably “lives in the world” of Resident Evil 2 and 3, but that it adheres more to the tone of Resident Evil 4. The game is not a direct adaptation of any Resident Evil game, however.
Cregger also pointed out that the video game series itself isn’t bound by rigid lore or strict timelines. “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 affirmed, adding, “I’ve never seen a movie like it. I am beyond excited making this.”
The director confirmed that his signature filmmaking style, honed during projects like Barbarian and Weapons, will be evident in Resident Evil, albeit with a larger scope and 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 elaborated. “As someone who has played 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.”
Who’s Starring in the New Resident Evil Movie?
While official casting details remain under wraps, there have been strong indications that Austin Abrams, known from Weapons, will feature in the film. Paul Walter Hauser is also rumored to be part of the cast.
When Does Filming Begin?
Cregger confirmed that principal photography for Resident Evil is slated to commence this October in Prague, continuing through January 2026. He mentioned Prague’s generous tax rebates and other advantages as key reasons for the location choice, calling it “the right place.”
A “Weapons” Prequel on the Horizon?
Beyond Resident Evil, Cregger has several ideas for future projects, including a prequel to Weapons focusing on the character Aunt Gladys. He confirmed discussions with Warner Bros., stating, “It is real and I’ve been talking to Warner Bros. about it. There’s a story and I’m pretty excited about it.”
Upcoming Resident Evil Games
Fans can also look forward to more Resident Evil games, including Resident Evil: Requiem, set for release in February 2026. Additionally, several Resident Evil ports are expected to arrive on the Nintendo Switch 2 around the same time.