Zach Cregger, the director of 2022’s “Barbarian,” is staying busy lately. Not solely is he producing the buzzy upcoming sci-fi/horror flick “Companion,” however his new film “Weapons” can be anticipated to hit theaters later this yr. Now, it seems just like the in-demand filmmaker is attending to take a crack at a legendary franchise. Specifically “Resident Evil.” That is proper! It is reboot time, once more, everyone!
In line with The Hollywood Reporter, Cregger is hooked up to put in writing and direct a brand new film based mostly on the traditional Capcom online game sequence. Plot particulars stay totally underneath wraps but it surely’s stated that this new take will deliver “the title to its horror roots and be extra devoted to the preliminary video games.” Hollywood is foaming on the mouth on the concept. A number of studios, together with Warner Bros. and Netflix, are at the moment in a bidding warfare for the rights to the venture.
Constantine Movie, which holds the movie rights to “Resident Evil,” is producing, as is PlayStation Productions, which launched in 2019 to show its video games into films and TV exhibits. For what it is value, Cregger’s manufacturing firm has a deal arrange at Warner Bros./New Line Cinema, in order that would appear like a logical vacation spot. In the end, it is most likely going to come back right down to who has the deepest pockets and most favorable phrases.
Resident Evil wants a revamp and Zach Cregger is the proper man for the job
Although online game films have at all times been successful/miss prospect, this franchise has been a brilliant spot, financially talking anyhow. The “Resident Evil” films have grossed greater than $1.2 billion on the field workplace collectively, relationship again to the 2002 unique. The sequence consists of seven live-action movies, in addition to a number of animated entries that largely went direct to video.
For Cregger, it suggests rising religion in his potential as a filmmaker. “Barbarian” was an sudden hit, taking in $45 million towards a mere $4.5 million finances. In opposition to rave opinions, it put him on the map. Rightfully so, as he proved to be an ingenious voice within the style house, working with restricted assets. For a franchise that has spun its wheels for a number of years, a voice like that’s simply what the physician ordered.
As my colleague BJ Colangelo identified after the discharge of 2021’s “Welcome to Raccoon Metropolis,” it should be a tricky activity to please all “Resident Evil” followers within the fashionable period, as lots of them need various things. Netflix’s live-action present lasted a single season. The action-focused movies starring Milla Jovovich had really run their course by the point 2017’s “The Closing Chapter” got here out. “Raccoon Metropolis” was fairly devoted to the video games in some ways, but it wasn’t profitable. The place will we go from right here? That is for Cregger to determine.
For my cash, he looks like the proper man handy the keys to. I’ve performed video video games most of my life and that is my favourite sequence, interval. I additionally rely “Barbarian” as my favourite film of 2022. I can solely converse for myself, but it surely looks like a match made in heaven. With the proper studio help, this may very well be an actual deal with. Thankfully, it looks like Cregger and the producers are firmly in management right here. Fingers crossed.
The brand new “Resident Evil” film does not have a launch date but, however keep tuned.