Zach Cregger to direct original Resident Evil film for Sony in 2026

Zach Cregger is slated to direct a new Resident Evil movie for Sony, with a targeted theatrical release of September 18, 2026. The film, currently in preproduction, is described as an original story that will honor the franchise’s lore while not reprising the iconic game characters. Cregger co-wrote the screenplay with Shay Hatten, and the project has Austin Abrams confirmed for a starring role, with Oscar-winner Mikey Madison in talks for the lead. Reports also place Constantin Film as producer and co-financier, with additional involvement from Vertigo Entertainment and PlayStation Productions, while Sony’s Columbia Pictures is overseeing the project.

The initiative marks a high-profile entry for Cregger into a long-running franchise that has seen seven feature interpretations since the early 2000s. It also signals a shift for the director, whose recent works have established him as a distinctive voice in original horror. Cregger rose to prominence with Barbarian, a film lauded for its structural audacity and visceral tension, followed by Weapons, a multi-perspective horror narrative that cemented his ability to blend shock with character-driven emotion. The new Resident Evil...