Zach Cregger, director of Weapons and Barbarian, is steering the upcoming Resident Evil film toward epic fantasy territory. The filmmaker told Empire that his version follows Bryan, a medical courier played by Austin Abrams, who functions as an "idiot" everyman thrust into a deadly, horrific adventure. Cregger frames the narrative as comparable to The Lord of the Rings, positioning it as a grand-scale journey rather than a typical horror adaptation.
This approach marks a departure from previous Resident Evil films, which leaned heavily into action and camp. Cregger's framing suggests he intends to ground the story in a relatable protagonist experiencing extraordinary circumstances. By casting Bryan as an ordinary person caught in extraordinary horror, the director aims to create emotional stakes that resonate with audiences unfamiliar with the game's lore.
The Lord of the Rings comparison reveals Cregger's ambitions for scope and character development. Rather than focusing purely on monster encounters and combat sequences, he appears interested in a character-driven narrative where personal transformation matters. This strategy could broaden appeal beyond hardcore Resident Evil fans to general audiences who appreciate fantasy-adventure storytelling.
Casting Austin Abrams as the central character reinforces this everyman approach. Abrams brings a youthful, vulnerable quality that contrasts with action-hero archetypes, further emphasizing that this film prioritizes emotional accessibility over spectacle.
Capcom has green-lit multiple adaptations across different media, from the Netflix series to theatrical releases. Cregger's vision suggests the franchise is willing to experiment with tone and genre conventions. Whether audiences embrace a Resident Evil film that treats itself as epic fantasy rather than horror-action remains uncertain, but it demonstrates creative ambition beyond straightforward adaptations.
The film launches with a different creative vision than audiences expect from the franchise, betting that gr