Director Zach Cregger has revealed that his upcoming Resident Evil film will center on an "everyman" protagonist named Bryan, who is burdened with a significant mission, drawing a parallel to Frodo's journey in "The Lord of the Rings." Cregger stated that the character, portrayed by Austin Abrams, was intentionally designed to be a departure from the typical combat-proficient heroes found in the popular survival horror video game series. Bryan is described as having no combat skills and being generally inept at survival, tasked instead with a "sacred mission" that will lead him into the heart of the unfolding events.
While the film is set in a version of Raccoon City and will feature the Umbrella Corporation and a zombie virus, Cregger indicated that direct connections to the games and their established characters, such as Leon S. Kennedy or Claire Redfield, will be minimal. He expressed disinterest in retreading ground already covered by the games or previous movie adaptations. However, fans may find subtle Easter eggs throughout the film. The director aims to capture the pacing and action of the games, describing the movie as feeling like "one gigantic sequence."
Cregger elaborated on the film's structure, noting that events escalate rapidly from the outset. "Things pop off about five minutes in and it basically stays like that until the end," he said. He likens the experience to the rhythm of the games, moving from one set-piece to another, with each location presenting a unique challenge in a continuous gauntlet. The Resident Evil film is slated for release on September 18, 2026.