Zach Cregger, acclaimed director of the horror film Barbarian and a member of the comedy troupe The Whitest Kids You Know, is helming a Resident Evil reboot.
The Hollywood Reporter reports a fierce bidding war is underway for distribution rights to Cregger's adaptation of Capcom's iconic survival horror franchise. Cregger will write and direct the reboot. THR names Netflix and Warner Bros. among the four studios vying for the project.
Cregger's 2022 film, Barbarian, about a woman's terrifying discovery in a rented house, propelled him to prominence. He's already completed his next project, Weapons, which reportedly has tested exceptionally well with audiences. [Link to Barbarian review]
This marks the second Resident Evil film reboot. Paul W.S. Anderson's six-film series starring Milla Jovovich, while deviating from the games, generated $1.2 billion globally. The 2021 reboot, Welcome to Raccoon City, directed by Johannes Roberts, aimed for greater game fidelity but fell short of the games' quality.
Constantin Film, in collaboration with PlayStation Productions, will produce Cregger's reboot, mirroring their involvement in previous films. Established in 2019, PlayStation Productions adapts Sony's game properties for film and television, including Uncharted (starring Tom Holland), Gran Turismo, the The Last of Us TV series, and Twisted Metal.
Future PlayStation Productions projects include adaptations of Until Dawn, Days Gone, Ghost of Tsushima, Gravity Rush, Helldivers, Horizon Zero Dawn, and an Uncharted sequel. A God of War TV show and a recently announced Ghost of Tsushima anime series are also in development.
