Let’s be honest, the expectations surrounding any live-action Resident Evil adaptations have continued to be lowered every time Hollywood tries to take a crack at the franchise. It almost feels like the film and television industry is allergic to making a good live-action Resident Evil spin-off. However, that all might finally change with Zach Cregger taking on the next attempt.
For those who aren’t familiar with Zach Cregger, he got his start in the sketch comedy group Whitest Kids U’Know. Fast-forward a few years, and Cregger has quickly become one of the most interesting voices in the world of horror films. Jumping from sketch comedy to horror is something that a lot of the best horror directors of the past decade have done. From Jordan Peele to Danny and Michael Philippou, comedy and horror strangely go hand-in-hand. Both Peele and the Philippou brothers could have been solid choices to take on a new Resident Evil movie, but Zach Cregger is the ideal director for such a project.
The 18 Scariest Resident Evil Games, Ranked
Capcom’s Resident Evil is the definitive horror franchise, but the games are not equally scary. RE7, Village, RE4, and Requiem are top contenders.
Zach Cregger’s Love for Resident Evil Combined With His Storytelling Talent is the Perfect Mix Needed to Make a Reboot Work
In past interviews discussing the Resident Evil reboot, Cregger has talked about his love for the games while also sparking controversy by admitting that he’s not going to take the franchise’s lore as gospel. In a recent interview with the New York Times, Cregger said, “I’m definitely not trying to be completely obedient to the lore of the games. I’m trying to tell a story that just feels authentic to the experience you get when you play the games.” Understandably, this has worried some fans. Resident Evil‘s lore is one of my favorite parts of the series, too, but Cregger’s emphasis that he’s still dedicated to keeping the movie an “authentic” story that captures Resident Evil‘s energy is more important than anything.
Balance the critic averages
Balance the critic averages
Easy (6)Medium (8)Hard (10)
No Franchise Characters is Actually a Good Thing
Cregger has claimed that legacy Resident Evil characters like Jill and Leon aren’t going to be part of the movie. It’s going to be a completely fresh story with brand-new characters. This gives Cregger more freedom to explore different corners of the Resident Evil universe that fan-favorite characters simply don’t allow. Cregger’s reboot follows a character reportedly named Bryan, who is an average guy working as a medical courier when the outbreak happens. Just like Resident Evil Requiem‘s Grace Ashcroft, a normal person who doesn’t have Chris or Claire Redfield’s training, and such a choice ups the stakes when it comes to tension and survival.
There is always the chance that Cregger could be bluffing to surprise audiences with a character cameo, but only time will tell.
Cregger Has Never Watched the Infamous Live-Action Resident Evil Movies
Whether you see it as a guilty pleasure or a torture for your eyes and brain, it’s hard to deny that Paul W.S. Anderson’s Resident Evil movies are bad. Zach Cregger wouldn’t know, though, because he claims to have never seen them. This is promising because it means he can think of ideas without Anderson’s film series subconsciously influencing him in any way. Cregger is working only with the knowledge he has of the video games.
I’m definitely not trying to be completely obedient to the lore of the games. I’m trying to tell a story that just feels authentic to the experience you get when you play the games.
He Knows How to Create a Compelling Villain and Write Sweat-Inducing Stories
It’s unclear if Cregger’s take on the franchise will have a big bad villain in the vein of Albert Wesker. If so, though, he has already demonstrated with Weapons‘ main villain, Aunt Gladys, that he’s more than capable of crafting an unforgettable antagonist. Of course, Aunt Gladys doesn’t exactly have Resident Evil vibes. Her over-the-top persona is definitely a trait that some of the best Resident Evil villains have boasted, though.
Between Weapons and Barbarian, Cregger’s stories are wildly unpredictable. That’s ultimately what makes his take on the franchise so exciting. That level of unpredictability is just what a fresh Resident Evil movie needs. Video game movie adaptations are not easy, but if there’s any director that can make a live-action Resident Evil movie palatable, it’s Zach Cregger.
