Zach Cregger, director of the forthcoming Resident Evil film adaptation, has stated that he has no intention of directing further franchise-based movies. Cregger, whose film is set to premiere soon, conveyed this sentiment in a recent conversation with Deadline, asserting his commitment to original storytelling.
When asked about potential pressure to helm another recognizable intellectual property, Cregger responded definitively, "I'm not doing that." He further clarified that while he may have been approached in the past, such offers would not reach him due to his clear stance against them. "I’m doing this, and that’s it for me," he stated.
Cregger's aversion to franchise films appears to stem from a desire to maintain creative control over his projects. He explained that as a writer, he wishes "to write whatever I want to write" and avoid constraints that require satisfying external expectations. His involvement with Resident Evil, he noted, is an exception because of his personal enthusiasm for the games and the story he developed. "I’m making the Resident Evil movie that I wish existed," he said, emphasizing his aim to satisfy his own creative vision as a fan.
Despite his reluctance to engage with future franchise work, Cregger has indicated that a return to the Resident Evil universe is not entirely out of the question. He has reportedly developed ideas for a sequel, contingent on the reception of the current film. The Resident Evil movie is slated for a theatrical release on September 18, 2026. Cregger's upcoming projects include a Siren Head movie, The Flood, and a prequel to Weapons. Recent promotional materials have offered glimpses of characters resembling creatures from Resident Evil 4, such as the Las Plagas.