Zach Cregger’s Barbarian Magic to Revive Resident Evil on Screen

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Interestingly enough, despite encountering numerous critical and financial setbacks over the past few years, the popular franchise continues to persist. Now, it appears that a fresh perspective on the zombie-virus narrative is in development, this time from Zach Cregger, director of ‘Barbarian’, who will both write and direct the upcoming installment of the survival horror series. According to The Hollywood Reporter, there’s quite a bit of competition among studios for this project.

Since its debut as a PlayStation game in the 1990s, Resident Evil has traversed quite a distance. It has given birth to multiple game sequels, a movie franchise with Milla Jovovich that was both successful and criticized, and various anime films. The live-action series seemed to reach its conclusion with Resident Evil: The Final Chapter in 2016. However, films titled “The Final Chapter” often fail to meet expectations, and few believed that this would mark the last time Resident Evil would be reimagined.

In 2021, the film “Welcome to Raccoon City” was released, one of the rare adaptations that stayed true to the original video games. Despite not winning over critics, it was well-received by those who had played the first “Resident Evil” games nearly three decades prior. Subsequently, “Resident Evil” was revitalized in a Netflix TV series, featuring a talented cast including the late Lance Reddick. The series earned praise from critics but fell flat with audiences, ultimately being canceled after just one season.

Is a New ‘Resident Evil‘ Movie Really Worth It?

Initially, the Resident Evil video games were based in a spooky, aged mansion and the vicinity of Raccoon City. But as the series progressed, the narratives ventured into entirely new territories, abandoning the initial concept to avoid repetition. Yet, instead of adapting one of these innovative stories, Cregger’s Resident Evil movie appears to be opting for a retelling of the old tale once more.

According to an article in The Hollywood Reporter, the upcoming movie is expected to return to the original horror essence of the game series, providing a more accurate adaptation compared to previous films like those starring Milla Jovovich, which often veered away from the games’ stories by introducing new and unrelated plots based on select characters and monsters.

2021’s “Welcome to Raccoon City” didn’t just stick close to the early games in the franchise, it also incorporated some game cut-scenes directly into the film. This makes one wonder about the new movie’s choice to follow this approach, but Cragger was pleasantly surprised by “Barbarian,” so he might be the one to create a “Resident Evil” movie that rectifies past errors.

As a cinephile eagerly anticipating Cragger’s imminent involvement with the Resident Evil franchise, let me share my excitement for his upcoming cinematic offering, Weapons. Slated to hit the silver screen on January 16, 2026, this film has been hailed as an intricately woven, horror epic that shares tonal similarities with the acclaimed Magnolia. In simpler terms, get ready for a gripping, interconnected tale that promises to send shivers down your spine. I, for one, can’t wait!

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2025-01-26 19:31