Director Zach Cregger has detailed the creative decisions behind his upcoming Resident Evil movie, acknowledging that while the film "lives in the world" of Resident Evil 2, it deviates from the game's specific setting and timeline. Cregger explained at San Diego Comic-Con that he took "liberties to tell a story [he] wanted to tell and make a movie look the way [he] wanted to look."
Fans have noted the presence of snow and contemporary smartphones in the film's depiction of the outbreak, contrasting with the original Resident Evil 2, which is set in September 1998. Cregger confirmed that his film is not a direct one-to-one adaptation. "There are differences between the movie and the game," he stated. The inclusion of winter weather was an aesthetic choice, with Cregger remarking that "a horror movie set in the snow looks really f**king cool."
These choices align with Cregger's long-standing approach to the project, which he has described as following the "rules" of the Resident Evil universe while crafting an original narrative. The latest trailer for the film showcases numerous easter eggs and moments that appear to capture the tone of the games, demonstrating Cregger's apparent affection for the franchise. The original Resident Evil 2 was set in 1998, its present day, mirroring the year of its release. Cregger has opted to set his film in the current day, a decision he believes strengthens the movie, even if it diverges from strict lore adherence. "If the barrier of entry is whether I do a one-for-one port, then I guess in that regard, I have failed," Cregger admitted. "But I think the movie is stronger for it."