Zach Cregger Had Full Creative Freedom on the New Resident Evil Movie, Says Constantin Film CEO
Capcom’s long running Resident Evil screen adaptations are gearing up for another reset, and this time the strategy looks very different. After the mixed reception to 2021’s Resident Evil Welcome to Raccoon City and the short lived Netflix series, the next theatrical film is being positioned as a creator led reinvention, with Weapons and Barbarian director Zach Cregger given effectively total freedom to shape the project.
In a new interview with Deadline, Constantin Film CEO Oliver Berben said Cregger was granted “carte blanche” to do whatever he wanted with the IP. Berben framed the decision as both a creative bet and a portfolio move. The goal is not simply to tell another Resident Evil story, but to let a new generation take the property in a fresh direction, leveraging Cregger’s distinct horror voice and track record for tone and tension.
That creative mandate also aligns with what Cregger has previously signaled about the project. Rather than adapting a specific game storyline or leaning on the franchise’s most iconic leads, the film is expected to deliver an original story. In practical terms, that means the movie is not treating recognizable characters as mandatory fan service. Instead, it is aiming to stand on its own as a modern theatrical horror film that happens to live inside the Resident Evil brand universe.
Berben also noted that from what he has seen so far, the film sits far from what audiences typically associate with Resident Evil, specifically because Cregger’s style is so pronounced. The film is currently in the edit phase and is set for theatrical release on September 18, 2026.
From a franchise management perspective, this is a high variance play in the best possible way. Giving a filmmaker full creative latitude can either elevate an IP with a definitive new identity, or alienate audiences who come in with rigid expectations. For Resident Evil, which has already cycled through multiple screen interpretations, the upside is clear. A director driven approach may finally push the movies closer to the creative confidence and genre credibility that the games have been enjoying in recent years.
What do you want most from a Resident Evil movie reboot, faithful game style fan service, or a bold horror film that takes the universe somewhere new?
