Director Zach Cregger, known for his work on “Barbarian” and “Weapons,” had previously indicated that his upcoming Resident Evil film would present a “weird story” and would not feature familiar game heroes like Leon Kennedy. However, he now wants to reassure fans that the movie will be deeply embedded within the same universe as Capcom`s iconic survival-horror games.
“It`s an entirely original story,” Cregger clarified in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. “When you watch it, you`ll feel like, `This is very Zach.` It simply takes place in the Resident Evil world. I don`t believe fans of the games will be disappointed… I respect the games enough that I`m committed to telling a Resident Evil story within the Resident Evil canon, ensuring that everything they love about the games remains intact, if you understand what I mean?”
Cregger also confirmed that Austin Abrams, who acted in “Weapons,” has secured a leading role in the Resident Evil film. While he didn`t reveal specific details about Abrams` character, he stated that “[Abrams is] so right for the role in Resident Evil.”
It is anticipated that another seasoned actor will soon join Abrams, as reports suggest Paul Walter Hauser signed on earlier this week. Production for the Resident Evil movie is scheduled to commence this October in Prague, with further casting announcements expected in the near future. The film is slated for release in theaters on September 18, 2026.
Next year will also mark a significant milestone: the 30th anniversary of the original Resident Evil game. Capcom plans to commemorate this event with the release of Resident Evil 9: Requiem in February 2026, alongside new ports of Resident Evil games for the Nintendo Switch 2.
