New Resident Evil director confesses to never seeing any of the franchise's films

Barbarian and Weapons director Zach Cregger has opened up about his upcoming Resident Evil film, revealing it will be a fresh, game-faithful adaptation — and that he’s never seen any of the previous Resident Evil movies.

In an interview with Double Toasted, Cregger said his film is “true to the experience of the games” and will follow a single protagonist on a descent “deeper and deeper into hell,” mimicking the pacing and intensity fans feel while playing. “It takes place in the world of the games,” he added, emphasising its faithfulness to the source material.

Despite adapting an existing IP, Cregger insists this project still feels original: “It has my tone and sensibility. I think people expecting just another IP rehash are going to be surprised. It’s a much bigger scale than Barbarian or Weapons, but still very much my kind of movie.”

Cregger admitted he’s never watched any of the past Resident Evil films — including Paul W. S. Anderson’s action-heavy series — and acknowledged this might not sit well with fans of the movies. However, he believes fans of the games will be “stoked.”

He cited Resident Evil 2, 3, and 4 as key influences, calling the game franchise “malleable” and not overly rigid in lore, which gives him creative freedom. “I don’t think I’m taking any more liberties than the games already do,” he said. “I’m coloring within the lines.”

Production on Cregger’s Resident Evil film begins mid-October in Prague, with filming set to wrap by the end of January. Sony Pictures will release the film on September 18, 2026.