Resident Evil director Zach Cregger sees his upcoming project as a one-off in the sense that he is not interested in pivoting to other franchise films. Even so, the director appears to be leaving open the possibility of tackling more Resident Evil movies in the future.
The comments come less than two weeks before the movie’s September 18 theatrical release, following nearly six months of debate over how closely Cregger’s film should adhere to Capcom’s survival horror games. The veteran filmmaker has already addressed the mixed reaction to his Resident Evil project, acknowledging that some fans wanted a more direct adaptation of the games, or even a sequel to 2021’s Welcome to Raccoon City. Nevertheless, Cregger continues to ask fans for patience and a measure of faith, having repeatedly expressed confidence in his decision to tell an original story that captures the atmosphere of the Resident Evil games without retreading their existing plots.
In an early September 2026 interview with Deadline, Cregger said he has been clear that he is not interested in taking on other established properties. "I'm doing this, and that’s it for me," he said, later adding that he is "not going to go tackle any other franchises." The director also rejected the idea that describing his film as an original work meant it was disconnected from the games, explaining that it remains a Resident Evil story even though its plot is not adapted from any specific title. The film’s departure from the games’ established protagonists was evident from the very first Resident Evil teaser trailer, which introduced Austin Abrams as a medical courier rather than centering on a familiar game character.
As for why the 45-year-old filmmaker feels so strongly about making his first Resident Evil film an original story, Cregger says it comes down to creative freedom. He wants to pursue ideas that interest him rather than build a narrative around mandatory franchise beats. He describes Resident Evil as an exception because he genuinely enjoys the games and developed a story he wanted to tell within their universe. Cregger also hopes the film satisfies fans, noting that he is approaching the material as a fan himself rather than treating it as a conventional studio assignment. That distinction has shaped the Resident Evil reinvention debate, particularly over whether an original protagonist and plot can still feel faithful to the series.
While Cregger has no intention of moving on to other established franchises, he has not ruled out returning to Resident Evil itself. In a separate September 2026 interview with The Playlist, he said he “can’t help thinking about other places this story could go” and already has ideas for future stories, while stressing that the first film has not yet been released. He contrasted that possibility with Barbarian, whose world he has no interest in revisiting. The comments add context to earlier Resident Evil franchise-building concerns, indicating that although Cregger is not seeking other major IP assignments, he remains open to continuing this particular universe.
Cregger’s Resident Evil is scheduled to hit U.S. cinemas on September 18, one day after a special gala screening on the opening night of the 21st Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas. The 93-minute film will screen at Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, which will host the genre festival from September 17 through September 24. Although Resident Evil is one of the opening night’s marquee attractions, the festival will officially begin with the world premiere of Mike P. Nelson’s creature feature Beware Boiúna.
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