Bidding War Erupts for Zach Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’ Reboot

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A fierce bidding war has broken out among major studios for the rights to distribute a reboot of the ‘Resident Evil‘ franchise, with Zach Cregger attached to write and direct. Warner Bros. and Netflix are among the four studios vying for the project, according to industry sources.

The reboot, produced by Constantin Film and PlayStation Productions, marks the latest attempt to revive the popular horror-action franchise based on Capcom‘s iconic video games. Shay Hatten, known for his work on ‘John Wick: Chapter 4‘ and ‘Army of the Dead,’ is co-writing the script with Cregger.

Cregger, who gained acclaim for his 2022 horror hit ‘Barbarian,’ has become a sought-after filmmaker in the genre. His upcoming project, ‘Weapons,’ starring Josh Brolin and Julia Garner, has reportedly tested well with audiences, further solidifying his reputation. Sources describe Cregger’s take on ‘Resident Evil’ as a return to the franchise’s horror roots, aiming to stay truer to the original 1996 games than previous adaptations.

The ‘Resident Evil’ film series, which began in 2002, has grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide. The six films starring Milla Jovovich, directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, blended horror, sci-fi, and action but often diverged from the source material. A 2021 reboot, ‘Welcome to Raccoon City,’ attempted to align more closely with the games but failed to replicate the success of the earlier films.

Constantin Film, which has held the screen rights since the late 1990s, is partnering with PlayStation Productions for the new reboot. The latter, established in 2019, has been instrumental in adapting Sony’s gaming properties, including ‘Uncharted,’ ‘The Last of Us,’ and ‘Twisted Metal.’

Cregger’s involvement has sparked significant interest, with studios eager to secure the project. ‘The combination of Cregger’s vision and an established IP like ‘Resident Evil’ is too tempting to pass up,’ said an industry insider. Warner Bros., which previously won the rights to Cregger’s ‘Weapons,’ is reportedly keen to keep the filmmaker within its talent pool.

The reboot is expected to delve deeper into the horror elements that defined the original games, offering a fresh take on the franchise’s iconic characters and themes. No release date has been announced, but the project is already generating buzz among fans and industry watchers alike.