More details are emerging about Zach Cregger’s “Resident Evil” film reboot, and fans of the horror video game series it’s based on should be excited.
The director, who’s best-known for “Barbarian” and “Weapons,” has opened up about the story, as well as what games from the long-running franchise he’s most inspired by.
“He said he beat it twice already,” Deadline writer Destiny Jackson said in a recent social media post about Cregger completing the latest game, “Resident Evil Requiem.”
While undoubtedly a positive sign, the man who’s helming the film adaptation is fully invested in the universe, that doesn’t necessarily mean film and game will overlap.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly in September 2025, Cregger said, “It’s an entirely original story,” one that avoids using iconic characters like franchise figurehead Leon S. Kennedy.
“I’m not gonna steal Leon and put him in an original story. I think that would be presumptuous…But I respect the games enough where I’m gonna 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?”
He reiterated his thoughts to Variety, saying, “I’m not going to tell Leon’s story, because Leon’s story is told in the games. [Fans] already have that.”
‘Resident Evil’ Story
The official synopsis for the “Resident Evil” reboot has not yet been revealed. However, Cregger has said the plot “probably lives more in the world of 2 and 3, but I’d say it adheres more to the tone of 4.”
This is based on “thousands of hours of Resident Evil,” Cregger told Double Toasted. It won’t be based, though, on any of the previous 11 movies to date, and that’s for one good reason.
“I’ve never seen a Resident Evil movie,” Cregger continued. “So, you know, I imagine that if there are people out there that are just rabid fans of the movie franchise, they’re probably not really prepared for what I’m going to be doing. But I think the people that are fans of the games are probably going to be stoked.”
Is ‘Resident Evil’ a Reboot?
Yes, “Resident Evil” is a reboot of the video game’s cinematic universe. In January 2025, Cregger was announced as the co-writer and director of the film, which is intended to set up further entries.
‘Resident Evil’ Release
“Resident Evil” is scheduled for release on Sept. 18, 2026, in cinemas and IMAX. The film started filming on Oct.10, 2025, with editing beginning in February 2026.
‘Resident Evil’ Cast
In the upcoming “Resident Evil” reboot, Austin Abrams (“Weapons,” “Wolfs”) stars as Bryan, a medical courier. He’s joined by “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” actor Paul Walter Hauser as Carl.
Here’s everyone confirmed for the film so far.
- Austin Abrams as Bryan, a medical courier
- Paul Walter Hauser as Carl
- Zach Cherry
- Kali Reis
- Johnno Wilson as Max
All ‘Resident Evil’ Movies
There have been 11 “Resident Evil” Movies to date: seven live-action and four animated.
• Resident Evil — 2002
• Resident Evil: Apocalypse — 2004
• Resident Evil: Extinction — 2007
• Resident Evil: Degeneration — 2008
• Resident Evil: Afterlife — 2010
• Resident Evil: Retribution — 2012
• Resident Evil: Damnation — 2012
• Resident Evil: The Final Chapter — 2016-17
• Resident Evil: Vendetta — 2017
• Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City — 2021
• Resident Evil: Death Island — 2023