Zach Cregger's upcoming adaptation of Resident Evil is set to hit theaters in September, and fans of the series are cautiously optimistic considering the director's success with Barbarian and Weapons.
However, we now know that Kreiger isn't interested in retreading video games or previous adaptations, and is instead looking to tell a new story within the Resident Evil mythos. There's still Raccoon City and an evil bioweapon organization called Umbrella, but don't expect too many similarities between the legendary video game series and Krager's upcoming film.
For example, we won't be following super-powered super-soldiers like Leon S. Kennedy and Chris Redfield, but rather an ordinary young man named Brian. According to Krieger, Brian being an 'everyman' is the core of the film.
Not Brian Lyon or Chris from Resident Evil
“The concept here is that we're chasing an idiot,” Creger revealed in an interview with Empire. “It's not that he's stupid, but he's not your typical game character with no fighting skills and completely unfit to survive. Brian is pretty much everyman burdened with this kind of holy mission that takes him to the heart of everything. It's like Frodo going to Mordor.”
I hope Brian is the relatable type that you can't help but root for because he's clearly having the worst day of his life. Kreager indicates that he is involved with forces outside of his station, and that he will likely have to deliver something to someone to help stop the apocalypse that has begun in Raccoon City.

“People are coming online for me”: Resident Evil movie director says he's not following the game's story too closely
Don't expect the upcoming Resident Evil movie to tie so much into the games.
While some fans are sure to be disappointed that we won't be seeing an epic live-action adaptation of Leon destroying the population of a rural Spanish village, many others will be optimistic about Kreiger's ability to capture the spirit of Resident Evil on screen.
“It feels like a huge sequence,” he explained. “Things pop-off in five minutes, and it basically stays that way until the end. What I love about games is that you move from set piece to set piece. Each position has a unique challenge. So again, I borrowed that rhythm directly from games, where you're running the gauntlet.”
Resident Evil releases on September 18.
Resident Evil
- Release date
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September 18, 2026
- Director
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Zach Cregger
- The authors
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Shay Hatton, Zach Cregger
- Producers
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Asad Kizilbash, Carter Swan, Miri Yun, Robert Kulzer, Roy Lee