Resident Evil director Zach Cregger says he expects fans to "crucify" him if his movie deviates from game lore

Resident Evil director Zach Cregger has offered up another tease as to what to expect from his upcoming adaptation – and admitted he's scared of the fans' reaction to him deviating from the games.

In a recent interview with The New York Times, the Weapons helmer doubled down on his take being different to those we've seen before. "I love the idea of being pitted against a world that is hellbent on annihilating you," he went on. "It just feels fun and I haven't seen a movie that offers that sort of experience."

While Cregger didn't elaborate on how or how much his movie plays with the source material, he said he anticipates that some hardcore loyalists will "crucify" him for not sticking to Resident Evil lore.

Not that this is the first time he's warned us. Way back in July 2025, Cregger – who's a self-proclaimed "worshipper" of the franchise – told SFX magazine that his film "not completely obedient" to its Capcom origins, and that he was more concerned with trying "to tell a story that just feels authentic to the experience" of playing. It's worth noting, though, that he did also promise that it doesn't break "any major rules".

"No matter what I do, people are going to come for me online," he joked.

Co-written by Cregger and Shay Hatten, the new Resident Evil movie will reportedly follow a medical courier who ventures into Racoon City to deliver a package to a remote hospital, and winds up at the center of a devastating viral outbreak. Austin Abrams, Kali Reis, and Paul Walter Hauser star.

It's set to release on September 18, 2026. For more, check out our guide to the most exciting upcoming horror movies heading our way.