Zach Cregger Already Has Ideas for More ‘Resident Evil’ Movies, Despite Calling It His Only Franchise Film

Horror fans have watched Zach Cregger’s career trajectory with genuine fascination over the past few years, as the filmmaker went from cult indie disruptor to one of the genre’s most trusted new voices. After ‘Barbarian’ put him on the map and ‘Weapons’ turned him into an awards-season fixture, his decision to tackle an established video game franchise felt like a significant departure from the wholly original stories that made his name.

That departure is ‘Resident Evil,’ Cregger’s take on Capcom’s long-running survival horror series, arriving in theaters later this month. Despite the film not even being released yet, Cregger has already started publicly weighing whether the story deserves a continuation.

Speaking during a post-screening Q&A after an early 30-minute preview screening in Los Angeles, Cregger addressed the possibility of a sequel directly. “I can’t help thinking about other places this story could go,” Cregger said, according to The Playlist, adding that he already has ideas even though the movie hasn’t come out yet.

That openness to expanding the story comes with a notable caveat, though. Cregger has made clear that ‘Resident Evil’ represents the only franchise property he plans to direct, telling interviewers he wants the freedom going forward to write whatever stories interest him rather than committing to another established universe.

That philosophy extends to how Cregger thinks about genre altogether. Speaking with Deadline about his broader creative approach, Cregger explained that he doesn’t necessarily set out targeting a specific genre for his next project, saying, “I just hope I get a good idea,” and that whatever concept resonates with him becomes the deciding factor regardless of category.

That mindset lines up with how Cregger describes his overall relationship to the ‘Resident Evil’ games themselves. He has previously described the film as a love letter to the franchise, emphasizing that his story remains obedient to established game lore even though it isn’t a direct adaptation of any single title.

Cregger also revealed during the Q&A that his script draws inspiration specifically from the dread-heavy atmospheres of ‘Resident Evil 4’ and ‘Resident Evil 7,’ rather than adapting any particular game’s plot beat for beat. He noted the film is designed to make audiences keenly aware of certain video game mechanics throughout the viewing experience, giving it a distinct feel compared to earlier live-action adaptations of the franchise.

Cregger’s future slate extends well past this single franchise entry. He’s already attached to ‘The Flood,’ an upcoming project he developed after finding an unexpected window to collaborate with Steven Spielberg, requiring him to come up with a concept in just a handful of days.

That range, jumping from a horror franchise adaptation to an original project with one of Hollywood’s most legendary directors, underscores just how much creative latitude Cregger has earned following his recent run of critical and commercial success. His comments suggest he’s approaching each new project on its own terms rather than trying to build out a specific brand identity as a filmmaker.

‘Resident Evil’ stars Austin Abrams as Bryan, a medical courier whose routine delivery spirals into a desperate fight for survival as Raccoon City collapses around him. Abrams previously worked with Cregger on ‘Weapons,’ and Cregger has said he envisioned Abrams in the lead role even while they were still shooting that earlier film together.

Whether Cregger ultimately follows through on those sequel ideas will likely depend heavily on how audiences and critics respond once ‘Resident Evil’ actually opens. Early reactions to the 30-minute preview screening have reportedly been strong, giving the director at least some early momentum heading into release.

‘Resident Evil’ hits theaters September 18 through Columbia Pictures and Constantin Film, in association with TriStar Pictures.

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