Upcoming ‘Resident Evil’ Film Director Shocks Fans By Revealing Major Game Character Won’t Appear: “Fans Already Have That”

Fans hoping for a straightforward, no-nonsense Resident Evil movie might be in for a surprise. Zach Cregger, the director known for Barbarian and most recently, Weapons, is taking on the new live-action Resident Evil film. While many thought Cregger would deliver a faithful adaptation of the classic survival horror games, it turns out his approach will be a bit different.

Cregger told Inverse that although he’s a huge fan of the games, his film will tell “a different story” set in the Resident Evil universe. He explained, “Let me say this: this is not breaking the rules of the games. I am the biggest worshiper of the games, so I’m telling a story that is a love letter to the games and follows the rules of the games.”

However, he’s clear that he won’t be focusing on the familiar characters fans know and love, like Leon S. Kennedy or Jill Valentine. Instead, his film will take place “outside of the characters of the games.”

Cregger added, “I’m not going to tell Leon’s story, because Leon’s story is told in the games. [Fans] already have that.”

This approach matches rumors from insiders suggesting the movie will introduce a new character, similar to how Milla Jovovich played an original role in the earlier Resident Evil movies. If fans are disappointed about missing out on iconic characters, Cregger’s simple advice is to “play the game.”

Though Cregger is confident in his vision, some fans might worry since this follows a trend where game adaptations choose to create new stories rather than adapting existing ones. This method can attract newcomers, but longtime fans often want to see their favorite characters brought to life on screen with more accuracy.

The new Resident Evil movie is being written and directed by Cregger and co-produced by Constantin Film and PlayStation Productions, according to reports from January 2025. By March, Sony Pictures won the rights to the franchise after a bidding war and will distribute the film through Columbia Pictures.

The movie is planned for release on September 18, 2026. In June 2025, it was also reported that filming would take place in the Czech Republic.

In short, fans shouldn’t expect a remake of the classic Resident Evil stories, but rather a fresh tale set in the same world, and this is not the first time that Cregger is addressing that. A few weeks ago, the director said he won’t stay faithful to the lore of the game, and he is aware that people are going tobe pissed:

“People are going to come for me online,” he said, but added that he’s not going to let that stop him. “I just want to make a really good movie and tell a story that’s compelling.” He said he’s confident in the final result, whether or not everyone agrees with his choices.

At CinemaCon earlier this year, Cregger shared even more about the tone he’s aiming for. He described a feeling that all Resident Evil players know too well. “There’s a moment that comes in every moment of every Resident Evil game where you find yourself standing in the mouth of a dark passageway. One shot in the gun is left,” he said.

“You know that something horrible is waiting for you in that darkness.” That tension, that dread, is exactly what he wants to bring to the screen.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!