• Franchise Reset: A new Resident Evil movie is officially in the works, aiming to break decisively from past adaptations.
  • New Blood, New Vision: Zach Cregger (Barbarian, Weapons) is at the helm, granted "carte blanche" by Constantin Film.
  • Creative Team-Up: Cregger co-wrote the script with John Wick veteran Shay Hatten.
  • Cast Glimpse: Austin Abrams, Paul Walter Hauser, Zach Cherry, and Kali Reis among the announced stars.
  • Release Window: Invades cinemas September 18, 2026, distributed by Sony Pictures.

Resident Evil: A Cinematic Shipwreck Gets a Daring New Captain

The Resident Evil franchise has been a veritable gauntlet of cinematic adaptations, mostly for the worse. From Paul W.S. Anderson's commercially successful but critically panned run starting in 2002, to the reverential yet ultimately worse 2021 movie that failed to establish any continuity, and let's not even get started on Netflix's 2022 series – this IP has had a rough go on the big screen. We've seen this IP flail in the adaptation space, consistently missing the mark despite its rich lore. But now, in 2026, a new attempt is underway, and it's spearheaded by a director who might just have the sauce to right this listing ship: Zach Cregger.

Cregger's Proven Track Record: Why This is a "No-Brainer"

Our take at In Game News is that Cregger is a game-changer. His work on *Barbarian* and, more recently, *Weapons*, has made waves in the horror community. *Weapons* was undeniably one of 2025's biggest and most celebrated horror movies, lauded for its refreshing thrills, raw horror, unexpected comedy, and wild twists – a blend we rarely see executed so effectively these days. By all accounts, Cregger should have the necessary toolkit to craft a genuinely fun Resident Evil movie, even if it means completely stepping away from established movie and video game canon. And, crucially, it sounds like he's doing exactly that. During a recent chat with Deadline (hat tip to VGC), Constantin Film CEO Oliver Berben, who took the reins nearly two years ago, pulled back the curtain on their approach to "cracking the code" of this enduring horror franchise. Berben doubled down on the idea that this new project is "far away from everything that is connected to Resident Evil, only because Zach Cregger has his own style." This is precisely the kind of bold move we've been clamoring for.

Granting Full Creative "Carte Blanche"

Berben, aligning with horror aficionados who appreciate risk-takers in the genre, articulated a clear philosophy: the genre needs voices willing to take chances. Given Cregger's body of work, perfectly embodying that spirit, granting him "the carte blanche to do whatever he wanted to do with that IP" was, as Berben put it, "a no-brainer." This isn't just a soft reboot; it's a hard reset on the very philosophy of adapting the IP, recognizing its billion-dollar box office journey but acknowledging the need for evolution. "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 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," Berben added. This isn't just about a new story; it's about a new creative ethos.

The Team and Release Details

The as-yet-untitled next Resident Evil movie isn't just Cregger's vision alone. He co-wrote the script alongside Shay Hatten, a veteran from the *John Wick* franchise, which immediately signals a potential for sharp action and compelling narrative structure.

Cast Roster and Release

The confirmed cast includes Austin Abrams, who was a fan-favorite in *Weapons*, along with Paul Walter Hauser, Zach Cherry, and Kali Reis. Seeing talent like Hauser and Cherry, known for their distinct presence, certainly piques our interest. Sony Pictures is set to distribute the film theatrically, with a release date locked in for September 18, 2026. After years of disappointments, In Game News is cautiously optimistic that this new, unchained approach might finally give the Resident Evil IP the cinematic treatment it deserves.