The race for Zach Cregger’s next big project is heating up! According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Barbarian director is set to write and direct a Resident Evil reboot. This has sparked a bidding war among at least four major studios, including Warner Bros. and Netflix. Sources say the competition is intense, as studios are eager to grab what could be a huge horror hit.
Sources say the new Resident Evil reboot will bring the franchise back to its scary roots, focusing on the horror elements from the original 1996 video game. Fans of the franchise will be happy, as it moves away from sci-fi and back to real horror.
The film will be produced by Constantin Film, which has owned the rights to Resident Evil since the late ’90s, along with PlayStation Productions. This partnership is a good sign because recent video game adaptations have been pretty successful.
The Resident Evil movies have made a lot of money for Constantin, and the series has earned over $1.2 billion globally. The films, including six starring Milla Jovovich and a more recent reboot, have a loyal following, making them almost “critic-proof.” However, it’s Zach Cregger’s involvement that has Hollywood studios eager to spend big.
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Cregger first became known as a comedian and actor, but he made a big splash in horror with his 2022 hit Barbarian. The film was not only praised by critics but also became a cult favorite, solidifying Cregger’s place as a rising star in the horror world. Reports say that when his next horror movie, Weapons, went up for sale, it sparked a bidding war. Warner Bros.’ New Line division ended up buying the rights and gave him rare final cut privileges.
Weapons, which stars Josh Brolin and Julia Garner, has already created a lot of buzz, with early test screenings getting “very strong” feedback. Warner Bros. is eager to keep Cregger on board since he’s in high demand. With Weapons coming soon and his producing debut Companion getting great reviews, Cregger is one to watch this year.
You can rent or buy the original film starring Milla Jovovich on VOD.