The Resident Evil movie franchise has had its fair share of ups and downs, with the latest installment in 2021 failing to create a new continuity. But now, with the upcoming 2026 release, directed by Zach Cregger, there's a glimmer of hope. Cregger, known for his work on 'Weapons', has been given the freedom to do 'whatever he wanted' with the IP, and the results are sure to be thrilling. But is this the charm? Let's take a closer look at what makes this new Resident Evil movie so exciting, and how Cregger's unique style might just be the key to righting the ship. But here's where it gets controversial...
The Resident Evil franchise has always been a nightmare for adaptations, with the movie series starting in 2002 finding success but lacking in quality blockbuster filmmaking. Then came the 2021 movie, which failed to create a new continuity despite all the reverence for the source material. And let's not even get started on Netflix's 2022 series. But now, with Cregger at the helm, there's a chance to create something truly special. And this is the part most people miss...
Cregger, who has already made a name for himself in the horror genre with 'Weapons', has been given the freedom to do whatever he wants with the IP. And it sounds like he's taking full advantage of that freedom, as he's stepping away from what's been done before in movies and video games. By all accounts, Cregger has the 'sauce' to make a very fun Resident Evil movie, and the results are sure to be thrilling. But will it be enough to crack the code of the enduring horror franchise? Let's find out.
During a chat with Deadline, Constantin Film CEO Oliver Berben elaborated on how the team is approaching this new attempt at 'cracking the code' of the enduring horror franchise. First, he doubled down on the idea that it's 'far away from everything that is connected to Resident Evil, only because Zach Cregger has his own style'. Berben, who is also a horror aficionado, believes that the genre needs voices willing to take risks with every project. And Cregger's body of work in the genre so far perfectly embodies that spirit, so it was 'a no-brainer' to give him 'the carte blanche to do whatever he wanted to do with that IP'.
'With Resident Evil, we have had an incredible journey with one of the most successful international IPs of more than a billion dollars in box office for many years and now we are creating something new, not just a new story idea, but to allow a new generation to take the IP into their own hands and form something different,' Berben added. The next Resident Evil movie, which doesn't have an official title yet, was also co-written by Cregger alongside John Wick veteran Shay Hatten. It stars Austin Abrams, Paul Walter Hauser, Zach Cherry, and Kali Reis, among others, and is set to be distributed theatrically by Sony Pictures on September 18, 2026. But will it be enough to crack the code of the enduring horror franchise? Only time will tell. So, what do you think? Will Cregger's unique style be the key to righting the ship, or will it be another missed opportunity? Let us know in the comments!
