- Primary Subject: Resident Evil (2026 Live-Action Film Adaptation)
- Key Update: Director Zach Cregger confirmed he won't reuse game characters like Leon Kennedy, opting instead for an original story set during the events of Resident Evil 2.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: July 27, 2026
- Quick Answer: The 2026 Resident Evil movie focuses on an original character, Bryan, telling a parallel survival horror story rather than replacing iconic game characters like Leon.
The new Resident Evil live-action film is slated to release on September 18, 2026, and fans are both hopeful and skeptical of the release.
Historically, the Resident Evil films haven't received much love from the gaming community. They've been slammed for being inaccurate adaptations, often veering away from the plot and characters of the beloved franchise. So when it was announced that another Resident Evil movie was in the works, fans weren't overly excited.
However, it seems director Zach Cregger is doing his best to ease fan concerns - after all, he is a fan of the games himself.
Resident Evil Director States the Film Will Celebrate the Games
During an interview with ScreenRant, director Zach Cregger stated he isn't trying to cannibalize the Resident Evil games with his upcoming film.
He revealed that he is a huge fan of the games and is making the film to celebrate them, stating his goal is not to "cannibalize the characters and the story that the games already do so well." Cregger added, "Because I'm not gonna be able to improve on Leon. I feel like Leon exists in the games."
The latest Resident Evil film, while set in the same universe as the Resident Evil 2 game, notably doesn't feature Leon Kennedy as the main character. The film's central character is Bryan (played by Austin Abrams), a medical courier who attempts to make a delivery to Raccoon City General Hospital when an outbreak forces him to fight for survival.
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Cregger claimed that his goal with the Resident Evil film is to tell an original story that lives in the same world as the games, "that obeys the rules of the games largely, but feels more like the experience you get when you're playing the games."
During the interview, he also said that the movie will lean into the survival horror aspect of the Resident Evil games rather than survival action. "I really love where they build this incredible atmosphere and this dread and tension as you progress through these set pieces."
One unique thing about the interview is the fact that Cregger revealed he had never seen the previous Resident Evil films. It appears he's choosing to remain faithful to the games, which is great news for video game purists.
READ MORE: Capcom Currently Has No Plans to Remake Resident Evil 5 or 6, It’s Claimed
Hearing him speak, there's one thing that's for certain - Zach Cregger is a huge fan of the games and is respectful of the source material. It's a fan doing his best to create a film adaptation, and that's worthy of applause.
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