Director Zach Cregger has revealed the significant physical challenges he faced while making the upcoming Resident Evil film, a movie centered on a character enduring extreme hardship. Cregger disclosed to The Hollywood Reporter that he suffered from pneumonia for the initial half of the production.
During the latter half of filming, Cregger contracted Campylobacter jejuni, a bacterial infection that causes diarrhea. He described the experience as profoundly difficult, especially while working on a high-budget, highly anticipated project with a dedicated fanbase and significant creative and commercial expectations. "So I was very, very ill for the whole production, and everything felt so barely in control because my body was failing me," Cregger explained.
He credited the expertise of his "wonderful, talented" department leads for helping him navigate the demanding circumstances. Cregger also praised the film's star, Austin Abrams, for his exceptional contributions. "He is one of the most can-do, positive people I’ve ever met. I was spoiled by the people around me," Cregger stated.
Beyond his internal health struggles, Cregger also contended with the harsh, freezing temperatures in the north of the Czech Republic, where the movie was shot. "We froze our asses off," he recounted. This marked a difficult turn after his previous film, Weapons, which was filmed in intensely hot and humid conditions that necessitated an IV drip and remote direction for scenes.
Resident Evil is scheduled for release on September 18 and is anticipated to achieve a substantial opening weekend. The film stars Austin Abrams as Bryan, a medical courier described as an "idiot" everyman who finds himself in dire circumstances.