Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil Return Gets New Update After Record-Breaking Success

Zach Cregger reveals to what extent he will be involved in any Resident Evil sequels.

The comedian and actor exploded onto the horror scene by writing and directing big box-office hits in Barbarian (2022) and Weapons (2025), with the latter also winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (Amy Madigan). Cregger’s latest film is the Resident Evil reboot, based on Capcom’s video game franchise, which is his biggest hit yet, both critically and commercially.

While Cregger will not return to direct any Resident Evil sequels, he has expressed interest in staying involved behind the scenes as a producer or by sharing ideas. Appearing on The Town with Matthew Belloni, Cregger said he “would want to have some hand” in future films by pitching ideas for where the “franchise could go.” Read his full comments below:

I would want to have some hand in them. I can’t help but have an idea for where that franchise — I’m calling it a franchise — could go. So, certainly.

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I would want to have some hand in them. I can’t help but have an idea for where that franchise — I’m calling it a franchise — could go. So, certainly.

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Cregger has stated that he is finished making franchise films after experiencing intense fan backlash over how his Resident Evil reboot handled the video game’s lore. Instead, Cregger’s next project is an original sci-fi film, The Flood, starring Jennifer Lawrence.

Though a sequel has not yet been officially greenlit by Sony Pictures, one is widely anticipated following the film’s massive box office success, grossing $400 million worldwide against its $75 million budget, becoming both the highest-grossing Resident Evil movie and the highest-grossing Zach Cregger movie after Barbarian ($46.2M) and Weapons $270M).

• Image courtesy of Everett Collection

• Image credit: Sony Pictures Releasing / Courtesy Everett Collection

• © Sony Pictures Releasing /Courtesy Everett Collection

• Image courtesy of Everett Collection

• Image credit: Sony Pictures Releasing / Courtesy Everett Collection

• © Sony Pictures Releasing /Courtesy Everett Collection

Resident Evil reviews have also broken records, resulting in a 96% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 79 score on Metacritic, making it the highest-rated video game movie ever. Critics praise the film for capturing a thrilling mix of fear and fun that makes playing a genuinely terrifying video game so exhilarating, with Austin Abrams’ sharp comedic timing offering welcome relief.

The eighth live-action film in the franchise, Resident Evil stars Austin Abrams as Bryan Hodukavich, a medical courier who must fight through an outbreak of infected monsters in Raccoon City. Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, Paul Walter Hauser, Will Merrick, Karel Dobrý, Griffin Newman, and Jo Martin also star in supporting roles.

While Cregger may not return to the director’s chair, his influence could still shape where the Resident Evil franchise goes next.

Resident Evil