Whether you’re a gamer or not, Resident Evil is a familiar name in the horror genre. The Japanese horror franchise has made quite a name for itself, and rightly so for their tense moments, horrific creatures and creations, and captivating story. That’s why the news of a new Resident Evil movie is so exciting for fans.
And while the franchise began as games, the last two decades have seen seven movies based on Capcom games, six of which were directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and Milla Jovovich in the leading role as Alice.
Zach Cregger, known for Barbarians (2022) and Weapons (2025), has been given the reins for the new Resident Evil movie. Cregger has become one of the most successful horror directors of this generation, which means fans have high hopes of the reboot, even if most of the details about the movie are under wraps.
What we do know is that “it’s an entirely original story,” according to Cregger. “When you watch it, you’ll be like ‘This is very Zach.'”
“It takes place in the Resident Evil world. I don’t think fans of the game are gonna be bummed.” Cregger went on to say. “I’m not gonna steal Leon and put him in an original story. I think that would be presumptuous. But I respect the games enough where I’m gonna like tell a Resident Evil story in the Resident Evil canon that still leaves everything they love intact from the games, you know what I mean?”
While Cregger admits that he can’t say too much about the movie at this stage, he does admit that he’s obsessed with the original ideas that he has, and hopes the fans will too. He also revealed that Austin Abrams, one of his stars from the movie Weapons, will lead the cast of the new Resident Evil movie. Paul Walter Hauser, who recently appeared as Mole Man in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, is also joining the cast.
In terms of the character Abrams plays, Cregger only teases, “He’s so right for the role in Resident Evil.” He describes his time with Abrams in Weapons, in which he played a drug-addicted homeless guy, as “a total blast.”
Resident Evil is supposed to release on September 18, 2016, and while many details have not been released yet, keep checking back for more information on the new Resident Evil movie.