Zach Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’ Movie Promises Nonstop Horror It Explodes Five Minutes In
Zach Cregger is steering the ‘Resident Evil’ franchise into uncharted territory, and fans shouldn’t anticipate a straightforward remake or a familiar retelling of the games. The director known for ‘Barbarian’ and ‘Weapons’ is crafting an original narrative within the ‘Resident Evil’ universe, introducing new characters and fresh frights while maintaining his distinctive style.
In a conversation with Empire, Cregger shared that the idea for a ‘Resident Evil’ film was his from the start. Despite the success of his previous horror projects potentially opening doors to various major franchises, he specifically chose to delve into Capcom’s renowned survival horror series.
Cregger noted that the rights holders were open to allowing him the creative freedom to explore something unique. “They were kind enough to hear me out and let me run with it,” he told Empire.
He emphasized that the upcoming film is not merely an attempt to replicate the games or recreate iconic scenes. Instead, he aims for the movie to reflect his personal style while honoring the franchise that inspired it. “It’s really a Zach Cregger movie that just happens to be a Resident Evil movie,” Cregger stated.
The director is also keen on capturing the essence of playing a ‘Resident Evil’ game. Rather than featuring a superhero-like character with combat expertise, the film will focus on a more relatable protagonist.
The lead character, Bryan, portrayed by Austin Abrams, is a medical courier who unexpectedly finds himself in perilous circumstances. Cregger described Bryan as someone entirely unprepared for the horror that awaits him.
“The concept here is that we’re following an idiot,” Cregger explained. “Not that he’s stupid, but he’s not your typical game character, with no combat skills whatsoever and completely inept at survival.”
Cregger likened Bryan’s journey to a classic adventure tale, where an everyday individual suddenly bears a significant burden.
“Bryan is very much an everyman who happens to be burdened with this kind of sacred mission that’s going to take him into the heart of everything. It’s kind of like Frodo going into Mordor,” Cregger explained.
In contrast to ‘Barbarian’ and ‘Weapons,’ which are noted for their unexpected twists and varying perspectives, Cregger mentioned that ‘Resident Evil’ will adopt a more direct narrative approach. The intention is to deliver a fast-paced horror experience that keeps the audience engaged.
According to Empire, Cregger envisions the film as a lengthy, intense journey filled with relentless peril. He drew inspiration from the game’s structure, where players navigate through diverse environments and confront new challenges at every turn.
“It feels like one gigantic sequence,” Cregger remarked. “Things pop off about five minutes in and it basically stays like that until the end.”
He added that one aspect he appreciates about the games is the ongoing sense of progression and survival.
“What I love about the games is that you move from set-piece to set-piece. Every location has a unique challenge,” he expressed.
With Cregger at the helm, the forthcoming ‘Resident Evil’ film is poised to merge the director’s unique horror vision with the survival elements that have made the game series iconic. If his insights are any indication, fans can look forward to a relentless horror experience that kicks off with a bang.
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