Resident Evil Movie Director Says Lore Isn’t the Priority: “People Are Going To Come for Me Online”

Zach Cregger, the director of the upcoming Resident Evil movie, has said that he won’t strictly follow the storylines and details from the games. He knows some fans won’t be happy about it, but he seems ready to deal with the reactions.

Cregger is best known for directing the horror movie Barbarian. Earlier this year, it was announced that he will be in charge of the new Resident Evil film.

He will not only direct the movie but also write the script. This new film is supposed to be a reboot of the series. Cregger said earlier that it will be “in the spirit of the games” and that it will feel “unlike any of the previous films.” But now, fans might feel concerned after hearing his latest comments.

In an interview for SFX Magazine, shared through GamesRadar+, Cregger talked more about his approach to the film. He said he is actually a big fan of the Resident Evil series himself. According to him, “I’m a gigantic Resident Evil game fan.” He explained that he has played all of the games and said he doesn’t even know how many times he’s played Resident Evil 4.

Even though he’s a fan, Cregger made it clear that he is not going to strictly follow the games when making the movie. In his words, “I’m definitely not trying to be completely obedient to the lore of the games.” He explained that he wants to tell a story that feels like the games, without copying every little detail. He said, “I want to tell a story that just feels authentic to the experience you get when you play the games.” He also said that he doesn’t believe he is “breaking any major rules.”

At the same time, Cregger knows that not everyone will accept his decisions. He admitted that, no matter what he does, fans are going to criticize him online. He said, “People are going to come for me online.” But instead of focusing on pleasing everyone, he said his main goal is simple: “I just want to make a really good movie and tell a story that’s compelling.” He added that he knows he will be happy with the film himself and hopes fans will enjoy it too.

The upcoming movie has been in the works since early 2025. Sony Pictures won the rights to the Resident Evil series after a bidding war. The movie will be co-produced by Constantin Film and PlayStation Productions, and Columbia Pictures will release it in theaters.

The current plan is to release the movie on September 18, 2026. In June 2025, it was reported that filming will take place in the Czech Republic.

Fans of Resident Evil will now have to wait and see how Cregger’s vision turns out. While some might worry about changes to the original story, Cregger seems confident that he can deliver a movie that captures the feeling of the games, even if it doesn’t follow the exact same path.

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