Director Zach Cregger has revealed that he already has concepts for a potential second Resident Evil film, should his upcoming movie prove successful. Cregger's take on the iconic survival horror franchise is set to release on September 18, 2026, and features an original narrative focusing on an everyday individual navigating the Raccoon City Incident.
This departure from direct game adaptations has, as expected, divided the Resident Evil fanbase. However, Cregger has emphasized his deep appreciation for the games, stating that the film was not merely a commercial endeavor. He also indicated that he has considered future story directions for the Resident Evil universe.
When asked about his interest in returning to the franchise, Cregger noted, "I can’t help thinking about other places this story could go. I’ve got ideas, but this movie hasn’t even come out yet." He contrasted this with his previous film, "Barbarian," where he felt the story was self-contained and not suited for sequels. "But this is different," Cregger explained. "I want to talk about the ending of this movie so badly, because there is a big aspect of it that’s worth discussing. This is a different situation."
Early projections suggest that Cregger's Resident Evil film could achieve the most successful opening weekend in the franchise's cinematic history, potentially earning between $40 million and $50 million. This anticipation is being fueled by ongoing promotional material, including a recent trailer from Sony España that hinted at the presence of Las Plagas, a parasitic organism featured in Resident Evil 4. Additionally, a promotional poster displayed an X-ray of a Doberman Pinscher, suggesting the return of the T-Virus-infected dogs from earlier installments in the game series.
Despite the excitement, Cregger acknowledged a degree of naivete in expecting universal fan approval for his original story approach, particularly given the strength of the existing game narratives. "I was naive to expect all fans of the games would be happy with my decision to avoid a direct adaptation of stories the games tell so well," he commented.