Zach Cregger, renowned for directing the chilling horror film Barbarian and being a part of the comedy troupe The Whitest Kids You Know, is now turning his attention to a reboot of the iconic survival horror game franchise, Resident Evil. According to The Hollywood Reporter, a fierce bidding war has erupted among studios eager to distribute Cregger's fresh take on the classic Capcom series. Cregger is set to both write and direct this highly anticipated reboot, with four studios, including Netflix and Warner Bros., vying for the distribution rights.
Cregger gained significant acclaim with his 2022 horror hit Barbarian, which tells the story of a woman who uncovers a terrifying secret in a rental house. His next project, Weapons, has reportedly been testing exceptionally well with audiences, further solidifying his reputation as a director to watch. You can delve deeper into our thoughts on Barbarian with our comprehensive review.
This marks the second cinematic reboot of the *Resident Evil* franchise. Previously, Paul W.S. Anderson directed a series of six films starring Milla Jovovich, which, although deviating from the game's storylines, managed to amass a staggering $1.2 billion at the global box office. In 2021, Johannes Roberts attempted a more faithful adaptation with *Welcome to Raccoon City*, but it fell short of capturing the essence of Capcom's beloved game series.Constantin Film, the production company behind Anderson's films and Welcome to Raccoon City, will once again be involved in producing this new reboot, collaborating with PlayStation Productions. Established by Sony in 2019, PlayStation Productions has been instrumental in bringing various video game narratives to the screen, including Uncharted with Tom Holland, Gran Turismo, the TV series The Last of Us, and Twisted Metal.
Looking ahead, PlayStation Productions has an exciting lineup of projects, 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 development, promising a rich slate of content for fans of video game adaptations.
