After early praise was given to his Weapons movie, director Zack Cregger’s upcoming Resident Evil reboot promises to be something unique, and the auteur recently revealed which projects from the popular zombie franchise he avoided during the film’s development. Resident Evil has been adapted for live-action before, thanks to Paul W.S. Anderson’s film series that ran between 2002 and 2016 and starred Milla Jovovich.

Resident Evil, or Biohazard as it’s known in Japan, is a survival horror shooter from Capcom that first hit the horror scene back in 1996, and the IP expanded to include television series, comics, novels, and audiobooks. The latest game to be announced is a multiplayer strategy game, and Resident Evil Survival Unit will feature some iconic characters from the franchise. Fans also have Resident Evil Requiem to look forward to, announced during Summer Game Fest, which will be released next year alongside Cregger’s reboot movie.

A New Version of Resident Evil 2 Has Been Announced, But You Probably Won't Get to Play It

A new way to play Resident Evil 2 is here, but unfortunately, not many fans of the popular title will get the chance to give it a try.

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By Carley Garcia

Resident Evil Reboot Director Didn't Watch Paul W.S. Anderson's Movies

Posted in a Deadline report via MovieWeb, Cregger revealed that he hadn’t seen any of Anderson’s previous movies, nor the recent Welcome to Raccoon City. “I haven't seen the movies, that's just not my thing. But the games are my thing. That's just a playground I just love. I think the movie is going to rip,” the director explained, but confirmed he had played all the games, including Resident Evil 4, which was played “a hundred times through.” Cregger shared that he wanted to tell a story that “feels like it’s honoring the experience you get when you play the games,” which fans will surely appreciate. Previously leaked plot details for the Resident Evil reboot suggested the movie’s placement in the game series, noting that the events of the film will feature an intact Raccoon City initially.

I haven't seen the movies, that's just not my thing. But the games are my thing. That's just a playground I just love. I think the movie is going to rip.

Earlier in the year, a rumor reported that the Resident Evil reboot had found its lead star in a Euphoria actor, who will reportedly play the role of a courier, Bryan, who gets caught up in Umbrella’s shenanigans while fulfilling a late-night delivery. After meeting a mysterious stranger on the road, all hell breaks loose during an outbreak, which unleashes “tentacle-based mutations and bio-engineered monstrosities.”

Despite referring primarily to Capcom’s video game series during the development process, Cregger revealed how his Resident Evil reboot will differ from the games. While trying to craft a unique experience that still feels authentic to the source material, the director noted that he didn’t play obediently to the lore rulebook either, with his main aim being to craft a compelling story. Cregger stated that he’d never seen a movie quite like his rendition of the iconic story, but some fans remain skeptical if any straying from the original games is mentioned.

The Resident Evil reboot is expected to be released on September 18, 2026.

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