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, all people!
In line with The Hollywood Reporter, Cregger is connected to put in writing and direct a brand new film based mostly on the basic Capcom online game collection. Plot particulars stay absolutely underneath wraps however it’s mentioned that this new take will deliver “the title to its horror roots and be extra trustworthy to the preliminary video games.” Hollywood is foaming on the mouth on the thought. A number of studios, together with Warner Bros. and Netflix, are presently in a bidding conflict for the rights to the undertaking.
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 reveals. For what it is price, 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 all the way down to who has the deepest pockets and most favorable phrases.
Resident Evil wants a revamp and Zach Cregger is the fitting man for the job
Although online game films have at all times been a success/miss prospect, this franchise has been a vibrant spot, financially talking anyhow. The “Resident Evil” films have grossed greater than $1.2 billion on the field workplace collectively, courting again to the 2002 authentic. The collection contains 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 skill as a filmmaker. “Barbarian” was an surprising hit, taking in $45 million in opposition to a mere $4.5 million price range. In opposition to rave critiques, it put him on the map. Rightfully so, as he proved to be an creative voice within the style house, working with restricted sources. 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 troublesome activity to please all “Resident Evil” followers within the trendy 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 actually run their course by the point 2017’s “The Last Chapter” got here out. “Raccoon Metropolis” was fairly trustworthy 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 seems like the right man handy the keys to. I’ve performed video video games most of my life and that is my favourite collection, interval. I additionally depend “Barbarian” as my favourite film of 2022. I can solely communicate for myself, however it seems like a match made in heaven. With the fitting studio assist, this may very well be an actual deal with. Happily, it looks as if 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.
