Zach Cregger, the director of 2022’s “Barbarian,” is staying busy lately. Not solely is he producing the buzzy upcoming sci-fi/horror flick “Companion,” however his new film “Weapons” can also be anticipated to hit theaters later this 12 months. Now, it seems just like the in-demand filmmaker is attending to take a crack at a legendary franchise. Particularly “Resident Evil.” That is proper! It is reboot time, once more, everyone!
In accordance with The Hollywood Reporter, Cregger is connected to jot down and direct a brand new film based mostly on the basic Capcom online game collection. Plot particulars stay absolutely beneath wraps but it surely’s stated that this new take will carry “the title to its horror roots and be extra devoted to the preliminary video games.” Hollywood is foaming on the mouth on the thought. A number of studios, together with Warner Bros. and Netflix, are at the moment in a bidding conflict for the rights to the challenge.
Constantine Movie, which holds the movie rights to “Resident Evil,” is producing, as is PlayStation Productions, which launched in 2019 to show its video games into films and TV reveals. For what it is price, Cregger’s manufacturing firm has a deal arrange at Warner Bros./New Line Cinema, in order that would appear like a logical vacation spot. Finally, it is in all probability going to come back right down to who has the deepest pockets and most favorable phrases.
Resident Evil wants a revamp and Zach Cregger is the best man for the job
Although online game films have at all times been successful/miss prospect, this franchise has been a shiny spot, financially talking anyhow. The “Resident Evil” films have grossed greater than $1.2 billion on the field workplace collectively, relationship again to the 2002 authentic. The collection consists of seven live-action movies, in addition to a number of animated entries that principally went direct to video.
For Cregger, it suggests rising religion in his skill as a filmmaker. “Barbarian” was an surprising hit, taking in $45 million towards a mere $4.5 million funds. Towards rave opinions, it put him on the map. Rightfully so, as he proved to be an ingenious voice within the style area, working with restricted assets. For a franchise that has spun its wheels for a number of years, a voice like that’s simply what the physician ordered.
As my colleague BJ Colangelo identified after the discharge of 2021’s “Welcome to Raccoon Metropolis,” it is going to be a troublesome process to please all “Resident Evil” followers within the fashionable period, as a lot of them need various things. Netflix’s live-action present lasted a single season. The action-focused movies starring Milla Jovovich had actually run their course by the point 2017’s “The Remaining Chapter” got here out. “Raccoon Metropolis” was fairly devoted to the video games in some ways, but it wasn’t profitable. The place can we go from right here? That is for Cregger to determine.
For my cash, he appears like the proper man at hand the keys to. I’ve performed video video games most of my life and that is my favourite collection, interval. I additionally depend “Barbarian” as my favourite film of 2022. I can solely communicate for myself, but it surely appears like a match made in heaven. With the best studio assist, this may very well be an actual deal with. Fortuitously, it looks as if Cregger and the producers are firmly in management right here. Fingers crossed.
The brand new “Resident Evil” film would not have a launch date but, however keep tuned.