Zach Cregger Discusses How His ‘Resident Evil’ Movie Embraces Video Game Elements

Video game adaptations often face skepticism in Hollywood, yet the ‘Resident Evil’ franchise has carved out a unique niche, balancing between being cherished and criticized. Milla Jovovich’s action-driven portrayal defined the series for nearly two decades, even as fans lamented its divergence from the survival horror games that inspired it.

This backdrop makes Zach Cregger’s upcoming interpretation feel like a significant shift. The ‘Weapons’ director has expressed a desire for his film to move away from being a loose adaptation, aiming instead for an authentic representation of the gaming experience, piece by piece.

Cregger is now detailing which game elements have made their way to the screen, and it’s evident he’s fully committed. Discussing the film’s design, he mentioned that the protagonist frequently encounters padlocks that hinder his progress, a clear homage to one of the franchise’s most iconic gameplay mechanics.

He went further, confirming that the film will feature healing spray cans and green herbs directly from the games, complete with visual details that fans will instantly recognize, including typewriters scattered throughout the environment as nods to save points.

Cregger explained that the film isn’t adapting a specific ‘Resident Evil’ title but rather aims to recreate the experience of playing one. This involves new environments appearing roughly every seven or eight minutes, locked areas that necessitate detours, collectible items dispersed throughout the world, and weapons that upgrade as threats escalate, mirroring the classic gameplay loop players have enjoyed for years.

Cregger has been open about the significant role that locks and padlocks play in the narrative, stating that his protagonist is continually thwarted by them. He emphasized that beyond the direct object references, the true connection between the film and the games lies in the set-piece-driven pacing, which he described as a naturally cinematic rhythm inherent to the games’ structure.

The film centers on a new character named Bryan as he navigates a world overrun by viral horrors while delivering medical supplies, intentionally avoiding the events and characters central to the mainline games. Cregger is determined not to retell Leon Kennedy’s story, as players have already experienced that narrative through the games.

Instead, the movie is crafted to exist alongside ‘Resident Evil 2,’ unfolding parallel to Raccoon City’s infamous night without directly intersecting with its most iconic characters. This approach allows Cregger to develop an original story while still respecting the world that players know so well.

The meticulous attention to detail extends to production, with large physical sets constructed in Prague, including a skyscraper hospital inspired by London’s Guy’s Tower. Cregger has also expressed a preference for the biological horror present in the franchise’s earlier entries over the supernatural elements introduced in later games, a choice that seems to influence the tone of this adaptation.

For a franchise that has struggled to satisfy both casual moviegoers and dedicated gamers, Cregger’s approach indicates he understands what differentiates the two audiences. He’s betting that embracing authentic gameplay elements is the key to finally bridging that divide.

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