Resident Evil Reboot In the Works From Barbarian Director

Zach Cregger, renowned for directing the chilling horror film Barbarian and a key member of the comedy troupe The Whitest Kids U' Know, is now setting his sights on a new venture: a reboot of the iconic Resident Evil franchise. According to The Hollywood Reporter, a fierce bidding war has ensued among studios eager to secure distribution rights for Cregger's fresh take on Capcom's beloved survival horror series. Currently, four major studios, including Netflix and Warner Bros., are in the race to distribute this highly anticipated project, with Cregger slated to both write and direct.

Cregger's recent work, Barbarian, released in 2022, captivated audiences with its tale of a woman uncovering a terrifying secret in a rental house. Following this success, Cregger has completed his next film, Weapons, which has reportedly received exceptionally positive test screenings.

This new Resident Evil reboot marks the second attempt to revitalize the franchise on the big screen. The original series, consisting of six films directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and starring Milla Jovovich, diverged somewhat from the source material but managed to amass a staggering $1.2 billion worldwide. A more recent reboot, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, directed by Johannes Roberts and released in 2021, aimed for a closer adherence to the games but fell short of matching the quality of Capcom's revered series.

Constantin Film, the production company behind both the Anderson-directed films and Welcome to Raccoon City, will once again helm this new reboot in collaboration with PlayStation Productions. Established in 2019, PlayStation Productions has been instrumental in adapting various video games into films and series, including Uncharted starring Tom Holland, Gran Turismo, the acclaimed The Last of Us TV series, and Twisted Metal.

Looking ahead, PlayStation Productions has an ambitious lineup of projects in development, including adaptations of Until Dawn, Days Gone, Ghost of Tsushima, Gravity Rush, Helldivers, Horizon Zero Dawn, and a sequel to Uncharted. Additionally, a God of War TV series and a Ghost of Tsushima anime series are also on the horizon, promising a rich slate of content for fans of video game adaptations.