"Barbarian Director to Reboot Resident Evil"

Zach Cregger, renowned for directing the horror film Barbarian and his association with the comedy group The Whitest Kids You Know, is now set to helm a reboot of the iconic Resident Evil movie franchise. According to The Hollywood Reporter, a fierce bidding war is underway to secure the distribution rights for Cregger's vision of the classic Capcom survival horror game series. Cregger will not only direct but also write the script for this eagerly anticipated reboot, with four studios, including Netflix and Warner Bros., vying for the opportunity to distribute the film.

Cregger gained significant acclaim with his 2022 horror movie Barbarian, which delves into the terrifying secrets hidden within a rental house. Following this success, he has completed his next project, Weapons, which has reportedly received highly positive feedback from test audiences. For more insights, you can read our review of Barbarian here.

[ttpp]This upcoming Resident Evil reboot marks the second cinematic revival of the franchise. Previously, Paul W.S. Anderson directed a series of six films featuring Milla Jovovich, which, while not strictly adhering to the game's plot, amassed over $1.2 billion worldwide. In 2021, Johannes Roberts' Welcome to Raccoon City attempted a more faithful adaptation but did not achieve the same acclaim as Capcom's original game series.

Constantin Film, the production company behind the earlier Resident Evil films and Welcome to Raccoon City, will once again produce this reboot in collaboration with PlayStation Productions. Established in 2019, PlayStation Productions has been instrumental in bringing video game narratives to the screen, including projects like Uncharted starring Tom Holland, Gran Turismo, the TV series The Last of Us, and Twisted Metal.

Looking ahead, PlayStation Productions has an ambitious slate that includes adaptations of Until Dawn, Days Gone, Ghost of Tsushima, Gravity Rush, Helldivers, Horizon Zero Dawn, and a sequel to Uncharted. Additionally, a God of War TV series and a Ghost of Tsushima anime series have been announced, promising an exciting future for gaming-inspired content on screen.