Zach Cregger adapts Resident Evil with original story and reduced humor

Director Zach Cregger has revealed significant changes made to his upcoming Resident Evil film following test screenings. While audiences enjoyed the movie, feedback indicated it was ‘too funny,’ prompting Cregger to strip out as many jokes as possible to achieve a more serious horror tone. He noted that the revised version improved both the audience experience and his own satisfaction with the film.

The adaptation, produced by Sony Pictures and Columbia Pictures, features an original story and characters rather than relying on legacy figures like Leon S. Kennedy. The plot follows Bryan, a medical courier played by Austin Abrams, who becomes trapped in Raccoon City during a viral outbreak. Cregger emphasized that while the film draws inspiration from the Capcom franchise, it is designed as a standalone survival horror experience that does not require prior knowledge of the games.

Technical specifications suggest a lean runtime of approximately 90 minutes, making it one of the shortest live-action entries in the franchise. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on September 18, 2026.