Resident Evil Movie Director Has Been Given “Carte Blanche” To Make Any Changes to the IP

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Zach Cregger, the director of the new Resident Evil movie, has already stated the film will tell a completely original story. Oliver Berben, CEO of Constantin Film – the company that owns the rights to Resident Evil films – recently told Deadline that Cregger has been given full creative control to make a unique movie.

Berben explained that the popularity of past Resident Evil games has created opportunities for a new generation of creators to contribute their unique perspectives to the franchise, going beyond just telling new stories.

According to Berben, the Resident Evil franchise has been hugely successful, generating over a billion dollars in box office revenue. Now, they’re aiming to refresh the series for a new audience, letting a new generation reimagine and build upon it. To make this happen, director Cregger has been given complete creative freedom with the property.

It’s unclear exactly how much creative freedom Cregger has been given will change the movie’s plot. However, he stated in August 2025 that the new story would stay true to the established world of Resident Evil. As a big fan of the games, he described the story as a tribute to them, emphasizing that it would adhere to the games’ established rules.

Cregger explained that his work doesn’t violate any of the established rules of the game series. As a huge fan himself, he sees his story as a tribute to the games, staying true to its established history and guidelines. He clarified that he’s not retelling the story of a character already featured in the games, as that story is already well-known to fans.

He understood that some Resident Evil fans might have preferred a story more like the games, but pointed out that they could simply play the game itself.

Cregger is no stranger to horror, having directed and written both Barbarian and Weapons. These films are known for building suspense in city environments, slowly ratcheting up the tension as the stories unfold.

Cregger has discussed the Resident Evil games before, explaining that the movie will take inspiration from them. He specifically mentioned creating intense, scary scenes – like when a character is nearly out of health and cautiously moves through a dark hallway, fearing what might be lurking around the corner.

Almost every Resident Evil game has a point where you’re trapped in a shadowy corridor, nearly out of health, with no escape. You’re forced to continue forward, even though you know something terrifying is waiting for you in the dark.

As a huge fan of Resident Evil, I’ve always loved that feeling of constant dread and escalating horror the games nail so well. That’s exactly what I’m aiming for with my movie. I really want to focus on one character’s journey, taking them from the beginning of a nightmare all the way down into the absolute worst of it.

The new Resident Evil movie is coming to theaters on September 18th. But fans won’t have to wait that long for some Resident Evil action – Resident Evil Requiem will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S starting February 27th.

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2026-02-17 16:41