Key Takeaways
1. The new Resident Evil film has a completely original storyline and will not feature Leon S. Kennedy.
2. Director Zach Cregger aims to respect the Resident Evil franchise while telling a new story within its universe.
3. The plot focuses on an unlucky courier, played by Austin Abrams, who becomes involved in the early T-Virus outbreak.
4. Cregger emphasizes his passion for original ideas while creating an adaptation based on existing intellectual property.
5. This film marks the third major film project inspired by Resident Evil, following previous adaptations that received mixed reviews.
The new film adaptation of Capcom’s Resident Evil franchise is being helmed by Zach Cregger, who recently discussed some intriguing aspects of the project in a chat with Entertainment Weekly.
Original Storyline
Cregger mentioned that this upcoming movie will have a completely original storyline, and sadly, it won’t include the beloved character Leon S. Kennedy. He explained, “It’s an entirely original story. When you watch it, you’ll be like, ‘This is very Zach.’ It’s just that it takes place in the Resident Evil world. I don’t think fans of the games are gonna be bummed. I’m not gonna steal Leon and put him in an original story. I think that would be presumptuous.”
Respecting the Franchise
He continued, “But I respect the games enough where I’m gonna like tell a Resident Evil story in the Resident Evil canon that still leaves everything they love intact from the games, you know what I mean?” Cregger has teamed up with Shay Hatten to co-write the screenplay for Resident Evil. The plot is said to focus on an unlucky courier, presumably played by Austin Abrams, who is sent to deliver a mysterious package to a secluded hospital, only to become embroiled in the terrifying beginnings of the T-Virus outbreak.
Cregger’s Vision
Cregger added, “I think that when you see it, you’ll understand how I can be obsessed with original ideas and still make a movie that is an IP-based thing. I know that doesn’t make a lot of sense now, but I hope it will later.” This adaptation marks the third major film project inspired by the franchise, following a mixed history of previous adaptations.
The original series included six films directed by Paul W.S. Anderson from 2002 to 2016, featuring Milla Jovovich as Alice. In 2021, Johannes Roberts’ Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City aimed to provide a more faithful reboot, drawing from the first two games and starring actors such as Kaya Scodelario and Robbie Amell.
However, it didn’t quite live up to fan expectations, grossing only $36 million against its $40 million budget. Now, Sony Pictures, which has been behind all the past films, is set to unveil Cregger’s theatrical interpretation of Resident Evil on September 18, 2026.
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