Zach Cregger Says ‘Resident Evil’ Will Be His First and Only Franchise Movie

Zach Cregger has spent the past few years building one of the more distinctive filmmaking résumés in modern horror, moving from a background in sketch comedy to becoming one of the genre’s most trusted new voices. After original hits like ‘Barbarian’ and ‘Weapons’ put him firmly on the industry’s radar, his decision to tackle an established video game franchise seemed like a notable departure from the wholly original storytelling that made his name.

That departure has left plenty of fans wondering whether this signals a broader pivot into franchise filmmaking for Cregger going forward, especially given how rare it’s become for buzzy indie directors to resist the pull of established intellectual property once a studio comes calling. With his ‘Resident Evil’ adaptation now just weeks from release, Cregger has finally addressed that question directly.

According to Deadline, Cregger has confirmed that ‘Resident Evil‘ is the first and only franchise movie he plans to make, dismissing any notion that this project marks the start of a broader shift toward tentpole filmmaking. “I’m not doing that again,” Cregger said, making clear his stance well before the film even hits theaters.

Cregger elaborated further on his reasoning during a separate conversation, explaining that he considers himself first and foremost a writer with little interest in shaping stories around the predetermined story beats that come with established intellectual property. He said he has no plans to tackle any other franchises going forward, preferring instead to write whatever material genuinely interests him without needing to satisfy specific existing lore requirements.

Despite drawing that firm line around future franchise work, Cregger has been consistent about treating ‘Resident Evil’ itself with genuine reverence for the source material. He’s previously described himself as the “biggest worshiper” of the games, explaining that his story exists outside the established character roster while still remaining fully obedient to the franchise’s established lore.

That approach means longtime fans expecting a direct adaptation of any particular game storyline will be getting something different. Cregger has confirmed the film won’t feature fan-favorite character Leon S. Kennedy, explaining that Leon’s story has already been told through the games themselves and that fans “already have that” experience available to them.

Instead, Cregger’s film follows an entirely original protagonist navigating the collapse of Raccoon City, drawing heavily on the atmospheric dread he’s said defines standout entries in the franchise like ‘Resident Evil 4’ and ‘Resident Evil 7.’ The film stars Austin Abrams in the lead role, with Cregger previously revealing he envisioned Abrams for the part while the two were still working together on ‘Weapons.’

Cregger’s insistence on returning to original storytelling after this project lines up with the broader trajectory of his career so far. Beyond ‘Resident Evil,’ he’s already attached to ‘The Flood,’ an original sci-fi project he developed after finding an unexpected window to collaborate with Steven Spielberg, along with ongoing talks with Warner Bros. about a potential prequel centered on Amy Madigan’s breakout ‘Weapons’ character, Aunt Gladys.

That range, moving between an established horror franchise and multiple original concepts, suggests Cregger views ‘Resident Evil’ as a singular opportunity rather than a template for his future career direction. Given how much creative control studios have reportedly afforded him on the project, including a reported $20 million payday for writing, directing and producing the film, it’s clear Sony views Cregger as a major bet worth making, even if he has no intention of repeating the experience.

‘Resident Evil’ hits theaters September 18 through Sony Pictures and Constantin Film. With Cregger drawing such a firm line around his future franchise involvement, fans hoping for a sequel or additional entries in this particular corner of the ‘Resident Evil’ universe may need to look toward other creative voices down the line.

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