Resident evil: director aims for 'giant sequence,' ditching familiar faces

Zach Cregger, the director of the upcoming Resident Evil movie, is betting on a visceral, unrelenting experience – a single, unbroken action sequence designed to mimic the intensity of a descent into hell, drawing an unsettling comparison to Frodo’s perilous trek through Mordor.

A different breed of protagonist

Cregger is deliberately steering clear of the established Resident Evil pantheon of gun-toting heroes like Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield. Instead, he’s built his story around Bryan (played by Austin Abrams from Weapons), an utterly unprepared everyman thrust into a desperate mission. This isn't a character forged in combat; he’s a liability, a frustratingly inept individual tasked with a monumental, potentially suicidal, objective. The concept, as Cregger articulated to Empire, is to follow this ‘idiot’ – and I use the term deliberately – as he navigates the heart of the outbreak.

One sequence, end to end

The film’s structure, according to Cregger, will mirror the frenetic pacing of Capcom’s games, eschewing the traditional set-piece format. “It feels like one gigantic sequence,” he teased. “Things pop off about five minutes in and it basically stays like that until the end. What I love about the games is that you move from set-piece to set-piece. Every location has a unique challenge.” The result, he suggests, will be a relentless, spiraling descent – a gauntlet of escalating chaos.

Beyond the familiar

While the film will retain the familiar atmosphere of Raccoon City – though deliberately avoiding a direct crossover – and the horrifying premise of the Umbrella Corporation’s engineered virus, Cregger intends to offer a distinct interpretation of the franchise. Expect Easter eggs for dedicated fans, but the director seems more interested in establishing his own narrative, one that stands apart from previous adaptations and the already established lore. He’s actively resisting the urge to simply rehash what’s come before, a sentiment he’s previously expressed.

September 2026 – prepare for chaos

The Resident Evil film is slated for release on September 18, 2026. Cregger’s vision, albeit a polarizing one, promises a radically different take on the series, prioritizing sustained action over character exposition. He’s essentially weaponizing the inherent tension of the source material, urging viewers to embrace the ride – even if it means accepting a protagonist decidedly lacking in conventional heroism. Ultimately, Cregger’s goal isn’t to deliver a nostalgic homage; it’s to deliver a pulse-pounding, unforgettable cinematic experience.