Zach Cregger, the director of 2022’s “Barbarian,” is staying busy today. 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 jot down and direct a brand new film primarily based on the basic Capcom online game sequence. Plot particulars stay totally beneath wraps nevertheless it’s mentioned that this new take will carry “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 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 motion pictures 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. Finally, it is most likely going to return all the way down to who has the deepest pockets and most favorable phrases.
Resident Evil wants a revamp and Zach Cregger is the best man for the job
Although online game motion pictures have at all times been successful/miss prospect, this franchise has been a shiny spot, financially talking anyhow. The “Resident Evil” motion pictures have grossed greater than $1.2 billion on the field workplace collectively, courting again to the 2002 unique. The sequence contains seven live-action movies, in addition to a number of animated entries that principally 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 finances. Towards 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 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’ll be a troublesome activity to please all “Resident Evil” followers within the fashionable period, as a lot 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 can we go from right here? That is for Cregger to determine.
For my cash, he seems 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 communicate for myself, nevertheless it seems like a match made in heaven. With the best studio help, this could possibly be an actual deal with. Fortuitously, it looks like Cregger and the producers are firmly in management right here. Fingers crossed.
The brand new “Resident Evil” film would not have a launch date but, however keep tuned.