Let's be honest, the expectations surrounding any live action Resident Evil adaptations have continued to sink every time Hollywood tries to take a crack at the franchise. It almost feels like the film and television industry is allergic to making a good live action Resident Evil by-product. But that could all finally change with Zach Cregger taking on the next try.
For those unfamiliar with Zach Cregger, he got his start in the sketch comedy group Whitest Kids U'Know. Fast forward a few years, and Cregger has quickly become one of the most interesting voices in the horror world. Jumping from sketch comedy to horror is something that many of the best horror directors of the last decade have done. From Jordan Peele to Danny and Michael Philippou, comedy and horror strangely go hand in hand. Both Peele and the Philippou brothers could have been solid choices to take on a new one Resident Evil film, but Zach Cregger is the ideal director for such a project.
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Zach Cregger's love of Resident Evil combined with his storytelling talent is the perfect mix needed to make a reboot work
In previous interviews discussed Resident Evil reboot, Cregger has spoken about his love for the games while stirring up controversy by admitting that he won't take the franchise's lore as gospel. In a recent interview with the New York Times, Cregger said, “I'm definitely not trying to be completely obedient to the lore of the games. I'm trying to tell a story that just feels true to the experience you get playing the games.” Understandably, this has worried some fans. Resident Evils lore is also one of my favorite parts of the series, but Cregger's emphasis that he remains dedicated to keeping the film a “true” story that captures Resident Evils energy is more important than anything else.
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No franchise characters is actually a good thing
Cregger has claimed that legacy Resident Evil characters like Jill and Leon will not be part of the film. It will be a completely fresh story with completely new characters. This gives Cregger more freedom to explore different corners of Resident Evil universe that fan-favorite characters simply won't allow. Cregger's reboot follows a character reportedly named Bryan, who is an ordinary guy working as a medical courier when the outbreak occurs. Just like Resident Evil RequiemGrace Ashcroft, a normal person who doesn't have the training of Chris or Claire Redfield, and such a choice raises the stakes when it comes to suspense and survival.
There's always the chance that Cregger could be bluffing to surprise the audience with a character, but only time will tell.
Cregger has never seen the infamous live-action Resident Evil movies
Whether you see it as a guilty pleasure or a torture for your eyes and brain, it's hard to deny that Paul WS Anderson's Resident Evil movies are bad. Zach Cregger wouldn't know though, as he claims to have never seen them. This is promising because it means he can come up with ideas without Anderson's franchise unwittingly influencing him in any way. Cregger only works with the knowledge he has of the video games.
I'm definitely not trying to be completely obedient to the teachings of the games. I try to tell a story that only feels authentic to the experience you get while playing the games.
He knows how to create a compelling villain and write sweat-inducing stories
It's unclear if Cregger's take on the franchise will have a big bad villain in the Albert Wesker vein. If that is the case, however, he has already demonstrated with Armsmain villain, Aunt Gladys, that he is more than capable of creating an unforgettable antagonist. Of course, Aunt Gladys hasn't exactly Resident Evil vibes. Her over-the-top persona is definitely a quality that is some of the best Resident Evil however, villains have bragging rights.
Between Arms and BarbarianCregger's stories are wildly unpredictable. That's ultimately what makes his take on the franchise so intriguing. That level of unpredictability is just so fresh Resident Evil film needs. Movie adaptations of video games are not easy, but if there is any director who can make a live-action Resident Evil movie tasty, it's Zach Cregger.
