Zach Cregger Says He's Done With Franchise Films After Resident Evil
Resident Evil movie director Zach Cregger is days away from his survival horror adaptation's theatrical premiere, but don't expect him to help bring another franchise film to the big screen ever again.
The filmmaker behind this month's Capcom project talked about what's next for him during a conversation with Deadline. When asked if he's ever been pressured to spearhead another recognizable IP, he gave a blunt answer: "I'm not doing that."
"I have never been approached by another franchise," Cregger said. "Maybe I have, but it would never get to me because I have been very clear that I’m not doing that. I’m doing this, and that’s it for me."
One might suspect Cregger's aversion to big franchise films like Resident Evil might stem from the backlash he's received in the months leading up to his movie's premiere. While the Barbarian and Weapons creator certainly has plenty of defenders looking forward to seeing his new live-action take, there have been many, many others who aren't quite as excited.
Most of the pressure has come from those who feel his Resident Evil doesn't align with the game it's based on. Changes to the source material, including its modern setting and snowy Raccoon City, have set fans on edge, while others aren't in love with the idea of following a new protagonist (Austin Abrams' Bryan Hodukavich) instead of someone like Leon S. Kennedy or Claire Redfield.
The controversy surrounding the Resident Evil movie has been quite loud, but there are several factors at play when it comes to his plans for the future. He clarified that the decision comes down to his status as a writer who wants "to write whatever I want to write."
"I don’t want to write something where I have to make sure I'm tagging different data points to satisfy X," he continued. "I just want to satisfy me. And the only reason that I think Resident Evil is OK for me to do is because I’m enthusiastic about the games and I like the story that I thought of with the games and I’m making it for me. I think this movie is cool, and I hope it checks the fan boxes because I’m a fan and I’m checking my boxes.
"I'm making the Resident Evil movie that I wish existed, so I can do that with a clean heart and a clear conscience and not feel like I’m getting f**ked by some weird industry thing."
Cregger has made it abundantly clear that his Resident Evil movie is meant to be a love letter to the experience of playing games like Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 7 and not a direct retelling of any one particular story. Although he's writing off franchise films in the future, it sounds like another trip to Raccoon City – or maybe even somewhere else in the Resident Evil universe – isn't out of the question yet. In another recent interview, the director said he already has "ideas" for a sequel, even if we have yet to see how audiences will respond to the first movie.
Resident Evil is expected to have a big debut when it slithers into theaters September 18, 2026. Next up on his schedule are projects like the Siren Head movie, The Flood, and a Weapons prequel movie. While we wait to see Cregger's new vision for Raccoon City, you can check out a new trailer that revealed a sneak peek at a creature that looks suspiciously like RE4's Las Plagas. You can also check out its organ transplant bag-inspired popcorn bucket.
Photo by JC Olivera/Sony Pictures via Getty Images.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).