Just as Raccoon City seemed cursed the moment the Umbrella Corporation first opened its doors, the Resident Evil franchise also seemed cursed to fail on the big screen. Before 2026, seven different films had tried to adapt Capcom's iconic zombie franchise, yet none of them quite captured the magic that makes the video games so special. Fortunately, it all changed when newcomer Bryan (Austin Abrams) took over the big screen.
Zach Cregger's Resident Evil (2026) was released to overwhelming levels of critical success, quickly becoming the highest-rated video game film adaptation ever made. Moreover, the terrifying film has been breaking box-office records and is on track to gross $400 million by the end of its run, which is a major milestone for an R-rated horror movie. But despite its great success, there was a time when fans didn't feel over the moon about Resident Evil (2026). In fact, it was the exact opposite.
As more information about Zach Cregger's vision first made its way online, more and more eyebrows started to rise. Why would the film feature a completely original character called Bryan? Why wasn't Leon Kennedy or Claire Redfield the protagonist? How could the movie take place parallel to the events of Resident Evil 2 if the game is set in 1998 and Bryan uses a smartphone? While Cregger tried his best to calm the masses, keep expectations in check, and answer every question thrown his way, he has now revealed that this was an "unpleasant" experience.
Zach Cregger reveals the "cultural expectation" behind Resident Evil made for an unpleasant experience
During an interview with A Shot, Cregger talked about the weight of expectation when making a franchise film, like Resident Evil (2026):
"I realized that all of that expectation, that cultural expectation, was actually really unpleasant for me because it wasn't about the movie. It was this giant conversation about all these things that really weren't about the movie itself. And so that was something I don't think I had appreciated when I started on that ride."
While Resident Evil (2026) was released to critical and commercial success, Cregger has previously stated that he wouldn't do another franchise film again. Furthermore, he mentioned that he doesn't feel vindicated even after the overwhelmingly positive reception to his latest project:
"I don't know if I feel vindicated. I'm gratified. I'm gratified that people responded to it (...) That's the problem with the internet. You never get a sit-down with some anonymous comment section where it's like, 'Hey, we had you wrong. Sorry about that.' That's never going to happen."
Does that mean a sequel to Resident Evil (2026) is completely out of the question? Not necessarily. Cregger has also mentioned that he's thought about "other places" his Resident Evil franchise could go, and Sony Pictures would likely greenlight a sequel given how much the first installment has grossed at the global box office.
Unfortunately, even if a Resident Evil sequel becomes a reality, it is unlikely it will hit theaters anytime soon. Cregger has now moved on to direct a new original sci-fi movie called The Flood, which is set to star Jennifer Lawrence. Going back to an original tale has been a liberating experience for the horror director, who states that he's grateful to leave behind some of the expectations of a project like Resident Evil:
"I'm just feeling very grateful that my next movie is an original movie and it can be judged entirely on the merits of the movie and not what people think it should or should not do."
Interestingly, The Flood has already been gaining a lot of attention in the industry, especially since Steven Spielberg will produce it. Moreover, Cregger has also revealed that it has the potential to become the project he's most proud of, stating: "Who knows what I'm in store for on this one, where I feel already like this is going to be the hardest movie ever. But I think it might be the one I'm the most proud of when all is said and done. We'll see."
While the jury is still out on whether Cregger will return to the Resident Evil franchise or not, it seems the expectation that comes with adapting such a popular library of games could be a deciding factor. But even if his time with the IP ends in just one single, critically acclaimed project, it is still a beyond-amazing legacy.
Resident Evil is now playing in theaters.
Add us as a preferred source on Google