Resident Evil Reboot Director Given Full Creative Freedom

The director of the new Resident Evil movie reboot was given full freedom to create his own version of the series, according to the studio’s CEO.

Last year, it was confirmed that Zach Cregger would write and direct a new Resident Evil film. Cregger is known for his horror movies Barbarian and Weapons. The new film will reboot the previous Resident Evil movie series.

In an interview with Deadline, Constantin Film CEO Oliver Berbin said Cregger was given “the carte blanche to do whatever he wanted to do with that IP”.

Berbin explained the studio’s history with the franchise. “With Resident Evil, we have had an incredible journey with one of the most successful international IPs of more than a billion dollars in box office for many years,” he said. “and now we are creating something new – not just a new story idea, but to allow a new generation to take the IP into their own hands and form something different.”

He also said that the new film, which is scheduled to release in cinemas on September 18, will feel very different from earlier Resident Evil movies. According to Berbin, it is “far away from everything that is connected to Resident Evil, only because Zach Cregger has his own style”.

Berbin added: “We consider filmmakers as an IP. Besides existing videogame, book or comic IPs, the biggest creative power you can have is a triple-A filmmaker and a package that combines those filmmakers with great cast and great ideas – that’s what we are aiming for.”

Cregger’s previous horror films have been well received. Barbarian currently has a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and Weapons has a 93% score. Because of this, many horror fans and Resident Evil fans are interested in seeing his new version of the franchise.

Last year, Cregger spoke to Inverse about his plans for the movie. He said the film will not retell the stories from the games. Instead, it will introduce new characters and tell a new story set in the same universe. He explained that the stories from the games have already been told successfully.

“Let me say this – this is not breaking the rules of the games,” Cregger said in last year’s interview. He emphasized that the new movie will respect the series’ lore. “I am the biggest worshipper of the games, so I’m telling a story that is a love letter to the games and follows the rules of the games.

“It is obedient to the lore of the games, it’s just a different story. I’m not going to tell Leon’s story, because Leon’s story is told in the games. [Fans] already have that.”

Cregger also commented that if fans want to see well-known characters such as Leon, Jill, Chris, or Claire, they can revisit the games instead. His film will focus on a new story while still respecting the world and rules of Resident Evil.

The new Resident Evil movie is planned for theatrical release on September 18.