Resident Evil film faces fan backlash despite record box office projections

Director Zach Cregger’s upcoming Resident Evil film, scheduled for release on September 18, 2026, is generating significant discussion due to its departure from established franchise tropes. Rather than adapting existing game storylines or featuring iconic characters like Leon Kennedy, the film introduces a new protagonist, Bryan, a medical courier played by Austin Abrams, navigating a T-virus outbreak in Raccoon City.

Cregger has addressed fan skepticism regarding the lack of traditional characters, describing his promotional efforts as feeling like a “apology tour.” He noted that he pitched the project to Constantin Film as a fresh angle for the franchise, focusing on survival horror mechanics such as resource management and character health to emulate the tension of the video games.

Despite some backlash from purists, the film is projected to achieve a franchise-record opening weekend, with domestic US estimates ranging between $35 million and $50 million. Cregger has also indicated that this project may be his final foray into working with established franchises, expressing a desire to focus on original writing in the future.