Director Zach Cregger has disclosed that actor Austin Abrams, star of an upcoming Resident Evil film, narrowly avoided a fatal accident on set. The incident occurred during the filming of a scene where Abrams' character, a medical courier named Bryan, is depicted running through a street while zombies descend from rooftops. Cregger opted for practical effects over CGI for this sequence, employing "body-sized blood bags" weighing approximately 150 pounds, which were dropped from cranes to simulate the chaotic environment.
During the execution of this stunt, one of the blood bags veered dangerously close to Abrams. "It would've killed him," Cregger stated at San Diego Comic-Con, as reported by Slash Film. "If he had been one step to the right, he would've died." The perilous shot, which was included in the film's new trailer, ultimately made it into the final cut. Cregger expressed his satisfaction, deeming the dramatic moment "f**king worth it" and highlighting the collaborative spirit of filmmaking.
This near-fatal incident echoes a past tragedy within the Resident Evil franchise; a production crew member on Resident Evil: The Final Chapter died from injuries sustained in an on-set accident. Cregger described the film's narrative as being akin to The Lord of the Rings, with Bryan serving as an everyman on a critical mission into the heart of danger, comparable to Frodo's journey to Mordor.
The Resident Evil movie is scheduled for release in theaters on September 18. Cregger also conveyed his pride in the film, noting his personal growth as a filmmaker during its production and emphasizing the sense of teamwork and accomplishment involved in bringing the vision to the screen.