Director Zach Cregger is feeling the pressure from fans concerned about his upcoming Resident Evil film adaptation, describing his press tour as akin to an "apology tour." Cregger stated in an interview that he believes the film will ultimately demonstrate his understanding of the franchise.
The film adaptation has faced scrutiny due to fan concerns about how beloved video game properties are translated to the screen. Cregger, known for his work on "Barbarian" and "Weapons," acknowledged that he has been working to reassure fans of his gaming bona fides. He admitted his initial naivete in assuming fans would be excited about any Resident Evil adaptation, without fully grasping the deep desire for specific character storylines, such as that of Leon S. Kennedy.
"I appreciate that, and I’m sorry that’s not the story I’m bringing," Cregger said, referencing the fan sentiment. "I get it, I understand the frustration. I understand it so well because I haven’t seen the earlier [Resident Evil] movies, because they don’t look like the Resident Evil that I love, so how could I be frustrated with fans who have that same attitude?"
Cregger recalled an awkward interaction at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, where he was asked trivia questions about Resident Evil 4. The resulting exchange, which highlighted a perceived clash between his perspective and fan expectations, reportedly gained traction on social media. He expressed a desire to move past such discussions.
"Now, I’m just like, ‘You know what? See the movie,’” Cregger told The Playlist. “If you still feel the same way after you’ve seen it, then whatever you think is fair. You’re going to decide if I’m an actual Resident Evil fan or a fake. What can I say? I think the movie is going to speak for itself.”
The director also indicated he has no plans for sequels or other franchise adaptations. Cregger stated his preference for original work, explaining that he wants to write stories that satisfy his own creative vision without the constraints of adhering to specific franchise requirements. He sees his Resident Evil film as an exception, made possible by his genuine enthusiasm for the games and his conviction in the story he wanted to tell.
"I have been very clear that I’m not doing that," he told Deadline. "I’m doing this, and that’s it for me. So I’m not going to go tackle any other franchises — just because I’m a writer, and I want to write whatever I want to write. I don’t want to write something where I have to make sure I’m tagging different data points to satisfy X. I just want to satisfy me.”
He added, "And the only reason that I think Resident Evil is OK for me to do is because I’m enthusiastic about the games and I like the story that I thought of with the games and I’m making it for me. I think this movie is cool, and I hope it checks the fan boxes because I’m a fan and I’m checking my boxes. I’m making the Resident Evil movie that I wish existed, so I can do that with a clean heart and a clear conscience and not feel like I’m getting f*cked by some weird industry thing."