Zach Cregger is making Resident Evil once, and then never touching a franchise again

After knocking everyone sideways with Barbarian and following up with Weapons, it raised more than a few eyebrows when Zach Cregger agreed to write and direct a new Resident Evil film. Bit of a leap, going from original horror to one of gaming's best-known franchises. But if you think this is Cregger 'doing a James Gunn' and signing up for a lifetime on sequel row, think again.

Why Cregger Said Yes (But Only Once)

In a chat with Deadline, Cregger made it blindingly clear he's not pivoting to a life of franchise gigs. Evidently, he's swerved every other big IP that's come his way—not out of sheer snobbery, but because he actually wants to write his own material, not just shade inside someone else’s lines. The only reason he's making an exception for Resident Evil? He just likes it, and he’s doing it purely for himself.

Here’s how Cregger spelled it out to Deadline when asked about future franchise work:

I have never been approached by another franchise. 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.

He went even further, saying he’s not interested in ticking boxes to please some executive spreadsheet. The only boxes he wants to check are his own—and since he’s a fan, he reckons the result will satisfy both him and the Resident Evil die-hards. In his words, he can make this particular film 'with a clean heart and a clear conscience and not feel like I’m getting f*cked by some weird industry thing.' I’d say you can hear the relief from here.

Still, that doesn’t mean he’s completely shut the door on Raccoon City. When speaking to The Playlist, Cregger admitted the idea of expanding his story does cross his mind, but made it clear he wants to see how this one lands before planning anything else.

I can’t help thinking about other places this story could go. I’ve got ideas, but this movie hasn’t even come out yet. Let’s see what happens.

Early Buzz: Actually Good?

The new Resident Evil is led by Austin Abrams in the role of Bryan, a medical courier whose supposedly ordinary shift turns into an utter nightmare amidst a fresh biohazard outbreak. Standard RE recipe: everything’s fine until it really, really isn’t, and then you’re running for your life from something unspeakable.

Here’s the twist: the opening thirty minutes have already been shown to a select few critics—including JimmyO from JoBlo—and the reactions are surprisingly glowing. In fact, there’s actual optimism this time round.

• Austin Abrams is getting raves for playing Bryan, managing a rare blend of being both likeable and genuinely funny, even whilst dealing with mutant horrors.
• The vibe is moody, creepy, and—apparently—has genuine laughs, which is a high bar for a video game adaptation.
• The casting choice is getting called out as spot-on, with praise for Abrams balancing both tension and comic timing.

The unspoken hope: this might be the long-awaited Resident Evil adaptation that isn’t total rubbish. The bar is low, but this one could finally clear it.

Resident Evil opens in cinemas on 18 September.