‘Resident Evil movies? I’ve never seen one’: Weapons director Zach Cregger on resurrecting the beloved zombie franchise

Director Zach Cregger, a filmmaker who has rapidly ascended the ranks of Hollywood with his distinctive and unpredictable approach to horror, is reportedly in line to helm a new installment in the long-running "Resident Evil" movie franchise. This news arrives as a surprise, particularly given Cregger's candid admission that he has never actually seen any of the "Resident Evil" films. Cregger's directorial career gained significant traction with his 2022 debut, "Barbarian." This film, which explored complex themes such as sexual assault with a narrative that defied easy categorization and surprised audiences with its unexpected twists, was a critical and commercial success, grossing $46 million. Following this, his 2025 follow-up, "Weapons," further solidified his reputation. The industry buzz surrounding "Weapons" was so intense that it reportedly ignited a fierce bidding war among production studios, with Jordan Peele himself allegedly expressing strong interest in producing. The film's success culminated in an Academy Award win for Amy Madigan's memorable performance as the villainous Aunt Gladys, a character noted for her blunt-fringed, bonsai-pruning demeanor. Cregger's filmmaking style is often described as "Lynchian," drawing inspiration from a diverse background that includes punk music, alt-comedy, and his upbringing in the church. This unique blend contributes to his ability to craft narratives that are both terrifying and genuinely original, resisting conventional horror tropes. Both "Barbarian" and "Weapons" exemplified this, beginning with seemingly straightforward premises before veering into thrillingly unexpected directions. This established Cregger as a director capable of delivering "totally terrifying, utterly unpredictable and – most importantly – genuinely original movies." His pivot to the "Resident Evil" franchise, a property with a decades-long history rooted in Capcom's popular video game series and a fiercely protective fanbase, marks a significant departure from his previous original works. The "Resident Evil" film series itself has a complex cinematic legacy, having spawned multiple iterations and a dedicated following. Cregger's unfamiliarity with this established lore suggests a potential for a radical reimagining of the franchise, aiming to offer a fresh perspective that could captivate both long-time enthusiasts and newcomers alike. His proven track record for creating unsettling and compelling cinematic experiences positions him as a potentially transformative figure for the "Resident Evil" cinematic universe.