Zach Cregger, the director behind the horror hits "Barbarian" and "Weapons," has candidly described his experience promoting his upcoming Resident Evil film adaptation, likening it to an "apology tour" and a "running for office" campaign to assuage skeptical fans. The scrutiny stems from Cregger's decision to deviate from established game narratives and characters, opting instead to craft an original horror story within the Resident Evil universe that incorporates some of the series' familiar tropes.
In a recent interview, Cregger expressed his initial naivete about the strong fan attachment to specific game storylines. "I did not really appreciate the sentiment that, ‘We've been waiting forever for Leon’s story,’” he admitted, acknowledging the frustration of fans who expected adaptations of well-known game plots. He extended an apology for not bringing the story many fans anticipated, drawing a parallel to his own reservations about earlier Resident Evil films that did not align with his personal appreciation of the franchise.
As the film's release nears, Cregger adopts a more philosophical stance, urging fans to experience the movie before passing final judgment. "See the movie. If you still feel the same way after you’ve seen it, then whatever you think is fair," he stated, emphasizing that the film's reception will ultimately determine his credibility as a Resident Evil fan. He hopes that viewers will recognize the genuine love for the games embedded within his adaptation and feel seen by the story he is telling.
Cregger maintains that this project is a genuine Resident Evil story, not merely a familiar narrative rebranded for a larger budget. He understands the resistance, sharing his own critical perspective on adaptations, but insists his approach comes from a place of deep affection for the source material. While he has expressed interest in exploring more Resident Evil stories, he also indicated that this film would mark his departure from franchise filmmaking.
Commercially, Resident Evil is tracking for a projected $35 million domestic box office opening, a figure that could potentially surpass the franchise's previous record of $26.6 million set by "Resident Evil: Afterlife" in 2010.