Zach Cregger Isn’t Ready to Let Go of ‘Resident Evil,’ and He Wants a Hand in Whatever Comes Next

Few directors begin a franchise project by swearing it will be a one-off. Zach Cregger did exactly that with his take on ‘Resident Evil,’ framing it as a self-contained story set in the long-running survival horror universe.

Then the movie opened, the money rolled in, and the tone changed. Now the filmmaker is talking about what comes next.

Cregger says he wants to remain creatively involved in future ‘Resident Evil’ sequels. Speaking on Matt Belloni’s ‘The Town’ podcast, he was asked whether he would be fine with a run of films he only produced and did not write or direct, and he said he would want some hand in them because he already has an idea of where the franchise could go.

It is a notable shift. Cregger had previously asserted that his adaptation was a standalone story. As release day approached, his stance softened, and he told The Playlist he could not help thinking about other places the story could go.

That contrasts with his earlier work. He has said he never entertained the idea of a sequel to ‘Barbarian,’ which makes his comments on this film stand out.

He has also said he is open to a crossover with the video games, according to MovieWeb. How or whether that might work is anyone’s guess.

The commercial case for continuing is strong. ‘Resident Evil’ opened in theaters on Sept 18 and debuted to $60 million in North America, the franchise’s best opening. It has since grossed about $400 million on a $75 million budget.

That makes it the highest-grossing film in the franchise and the biggest hit of Cregger’s career. It also arrives after a previous series of 6 films starring Milla Jovovich that earned about $1.1 billion.

Austin Abrams stars as Bryan, a medical courier battling infected creatures in Raccoon City. The film does not feature established characters from the video games, which is part of what made it divisive.

The movie has faced backlash from some fans because it narratively deviates from the games. Cregger has joked about going on an apology tour to stop players from calling him a LARPer.

Abrams has said he understands the frustration. Even so, early reactions from critics were strong, and one reviewer called it a fun, infectious reboot.

That split reaction has not slowed the box office. If anything, the debate has kept the film in the conversation.

Nothing has been greenlit. A sequel cannot move forward until the studios approve it, and Sony has not announced any plans. The film’s ending reportedly leaves the door wide open, though.

Other filmmakers have noticed. Johannes Roberts, who directed the earlier ‘Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City,’ has expressed interest in directing a sequel.

Cregger himself has been cautious about directing again. He has said the project is the only franchise property he plans to direct, because he wants the freedom to write whatever stories interest him. That raises the possibility he could shape future films without sitting in the director’s chair.

He has plenty to keep him occupied. After the success of ‘Barbarian’ and ‘Weapons,’ he has other projects in the pipeline, including ‘The Flood’ and a prequel to ‘Weapons.’

Screen Rant suggests that if his pace continues, a sequel could arrive by 2029. That would give Cregger time to develop an idea while working on his original features.

It also fits the way he has described his approach. He tends to chase the weirdest possible idea, a habit he credits partly to his years writing comedy.

The first trailer for Zach Cregger’s ‘RESIDENT EVIL’ has been released. In theaters on September 18. https://t.co/eeVCAGzy6M

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) April 30, 2026

The series now sits at an interesting point. It has the best commercial result in its history, a polarizing creative direction and a director who is clearly invested.

Whether Sony lets Cregger steer the next chapter is the key question. For now, his willingness to stay involved suggests the idea he is holding onto is not small.

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