Weapons filmmaker Zach Cregger has made it clear in interviews that his Resident Evil film will not be slavish to the source material, but he’s still aiming to honor the experience of the video games.
“I love the idea of being pitted against a world that is hellbent on annihilating you,” Cregger tells The New York Times. “It just feels fun, and I haven’t seen a movie that offers that sort of experience.”
Cregger also admits that he anticipates some fans will “crucify” him for deviating from the franchise’s lore.
The filmmaker previously stated, “I’m definitely not trying to be completely obedient to the lore of the games. I’m trying to tell a story that just feels authentic to the experience you get when you play the games.”
Directed by Cregger from a script he co-wrote with Shay Hatten (John Wick: Chapters 3 and 4), Resident Evil opens in theaters on September 18 via Sony.
Austin Abrams (Weapons), Paul Walter Hauser (“Black Bird”), Zach Cherry (“Severance”), Kali Reis (“True Detective: Night Country”), and Johnno Wilson (“Twisted Metal”) star.
Constantin Film’s Robert Kulzer, Vertigo Entertainment’s Roy Lee and Miri Yoon, and PlayStation Productions’ Asad Qizilbash and Carter Swan are producing.
Constantin Film CEO Oliver Berben and Davis Films’ Victor Hadida executive produce, with TriStar Pictures’ president Nicole Brown overseeing the project for Sony.
