The New Resident Evil Movie Reboot Offers Significant Game Connection Opportunities

When it comes to live-action adaptations, the Resident Evil series hasn’t had the smoothest journey. Since its debut in 2002, the film series featuring Milla Jovovich hasn’t impressed critics much. All six movies are sitting with scores under 50 on Metacritic, with a bulk not even reaching the 40 mark. The 2021 attempt, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, wasn’t a huge improvement, scoring just a 44.

But it seems the attempts to bring Resident Evil to live-action aren’t over yet. According to The Hollywood Reporter, there’s intriguing news circling: Zach Cregger, known for his work on Barbarian, is in the process of developing a new Resident Evil reboot. As it stands, there’s a heated bidding battle over this project, involving industry giants like Warner Bros. and Netflix. With Cregger at the helm, fans are hopeful that this version could finally deliver what they’ve been waiting for. And with Capcom on board, this might be the right opportunity to sync the movie release with a new game.

Even though Zach Cregger has made a name as a comedic actor and creator, his venture into the horror genre with 2022’s Barbarian turned out to be a unique twist. Despite not being a blockbuster hit, the film has attracted a dedicated group of followers since its release.

If Cregger’s new Resident Evil project adopts a similar style to Barbarian, there’s a good chance it’ll feature a tighter, more confined setting. Instead of elaborate locations and a star-studded cast, expect a more intimate atmosphere, potentially with minimalist action scenes. It’s expected to resonate more with the original, suspense-filled Resident Evil games rather than the later action-heavy sequels.

There’s also potential for Capcom to capitalize on the movie’s momentum. Launching a remake of a cherished Resident Evil game could perfectly complement the film, giving fans an experience that mirrors the movie’s scaled-down essence. A remake of Resident Evil 0 stands as a promising candidate, with its eerie train carriages and corridor settings matching the anticipated movie vibe. However, whispers suggest that this remake might hit the shelves sooner than Cregger’s film makes it to cinemas.

Alternatively, reimagining the very first Resident Evil game could hit the spot. Although it already got a fantastic remake in 2002, there’s buzz about a new version with a fresh, over-the-shoulder perspective akin to the Remakes of RE2 and RE3. Noted leaker Dusk Golem speculates that this updated take could be ready by 2026, which might just align with the timeline of Cregger’s cinematic vision.