The second official trailer for Zach Cregger's upcoming Resident Evil film has been released, showcasing a variety of Easter eggs and familiar elements from the long-running survival horror franchise. Despite its departure from iconic characters like Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield in favor of a new protagonist, the trailer aims to appease fans by featuring established franchise iconography.
The nearly two-minute trailer, released by Sony Pictures, includes a zombie, a typewriter, and the specific "Heavy Field" shotgun shells seen in the games. The phrase "Raccoon City" is also spoken aloud. Glimpses of a character seemingly losing their mind amidst destruction and a disturbing zombie baby further underscore the horror elements. This iteration of the Raccoon City outbreak is set in the modern day, as indicated by the presence of a smartphone, contrasting with the 1998 setting of some previous adaptations.
Director Zach Cregger has previously stated his intention to adapt the gameplay structure of the Resident Evil games rather than strictly adhering to their lore. The film centers on Bryan, a medical courier portrayed by Austin Abrams, who finds himself in a desperate fight for survival during a chaotic night. Cregger described the intended viewer experience as mirroring the player's journey in the games, following a single protagonist as they navigate increasingly perilous situations.
This new film is the latest attempt by Sony Pictures to bring Resident Evil to the screen. The studio has previously produced six films with director Paul W. S. Anderson and star Milla Jovovich. Following the underperformance of 2016's Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, Sony's subsequent reboot, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, which focused on the first two games, also met with critical and commercial disappointment. Cregger's movie represents another reboot for the franchise.
Resident Evil stars Austin Abrams, Zach Cherry, Paul Walter Hauser, and Kali Reis, with Cregger directing from a script he co-wrote with Shay Hatten. The film is slated for release on September 18 and will be shown in IMAX. Capcom also has another major film adaptation, Street Fighter, from director Kitao Sakurai, scheduled for release in 2026.