Zach Cregger, renowned for directing the chilling horror film Barbarian and a key member of the comedy troupe The Whitest Kids You Know, is now set to helm a reboot of the iconic Resident Evil franchise. According to The Hollywood Reporter, a fierce bidding war has erupted among studios eager to distribute Cregger's vision of the classic Capcom survival horror series. Cregger will not only direct but also write the screenplay for this anticipated reboot. Currently, four studios, including Netflix and Warner Bros., are vying for the distribution rights.
Cregger's recent success with Barbarian, a 2022 horror film about a woman uncovering a terrifying secret in a rental house, has heightened expectations for his upcoming projects. His next film, Weapons, has reportedly received exceptionally positive test screenings, further solidifying his reputation in the horror genre. For more insights, you can check out our review of Barbarian here.
This new Resident Evil reboot marks the second attempt to revitalize the franchise on screen. Previously, Paul W.S. Anderson directed a series of six films starring Milla Jovovich, which, despite deviating from the game's storyline, amassed a global box office total of $1.2 billion. In 2021, Johannes Roberts directed Welcome to Raccoon City, a reboot that aimed to stay truer to the games but fell short of capturing the essence of Capcom's acclaimed series.
Constantin Film, in collaboration with PlayStation Productions, will produce this latest reboot. PlayStation Productions, established by Sony in 2019, has been instrumental in adapting various video games into films and series, including Uncharted starring Tom Holland, Gran Turismo, the The Last of Us TV series, and Twisted Metal. Upcoming projects from PlayStation Productions include adaptations of Until Dawn, Days Gone, Ghost of Tsushima, Gravity Rush, Helldivers, Horizon Zero Dawn, and a sequel to Uncharted. Additionally, a God of War TV show and a Ghost of Tsushima anime series are also in development.
