Zach Cregger, renowned for directing the chilling horror film Barbarian and as a member of the comedy troupe The Whitest Kids You Know, is set to helm a reboot of the iconic Capcom survival horror franchise, Resident Evil. According to The Hollywood Reporter, a fierce bidding war is underway among four studios, including Netflix and Warner Bros., eager to secure distribution rights for Cregger's vision of the classic game series. Cregger will not only direct but also write the screenplay for this anticipated reboot.
Cregger gained significant attention with his 2022 horror hit Barbarian, which tells the story of a woman who uncovers a terrifying secret in her rental home. Following the success of Barbarian, Cregger has completed his next project, Weapons, which has reportedly received highly positive test screenings.
For those interested, you can delve into our detailed review of Barbarian here.
This new *Resident Evil* reboot marks the second attempt to relaunch the franchise on screen. Previously, Paul W.S. Anderson directed a series of six films featuring Milla Jovovich, which, while not strictly following the game's plotlines, amassed a staggering $1.2 billion globally. In 2021, Johannes Roberts directed *Welcome to Raccoon City*, aiming for a more faithful adaptation but falling short of capturing the essence of Capcom's beloved series.Constantin Film, in collaboration with PlayStation Productions, will produce this upcoming reboot. PlayStation Productions, established by Sony in 2019, is dedicated to transforming its gaming IPs into cinematic experiences. Notable projects under its belt include Uncharted starring Tom Holland, Gran Turismo, the The Last of Us TV series, and Twisted Metal.
Looking ahead, PlayStation Productions has an exciting slate of films 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 in the pipeline, promising to bring more of Sony's rich gaming universe to a broader audience.
