Resident Evil Reboot In the Works From Barbarian Director

Zach Cregger, renowned for directing the chilling horror film Barbarian and as a key member of the comedy troupe The Whitest Kids You Know, is set to helm a new reboot of the iconic Resident Evil franchise. The Hollywood Reporter reveals that a fierce bidding war is underway for the distribution rights to Cregger's vision of the classic Capcom survival horror series, with Cregger himself taking on both writing and directing duties. Currently, four studios, including powerhouses Netflix and Warner Bros., are vying for the opportunity to bring this project to audiences.

Cregger gained significant acclaim with his 2022 horror hit Barbarian, a gripping tale of a woman who stumbles upon a terrifying secret in a rental house. His next project, Weapons, has reportedly been receiving high praise from test audiences, further cementing his reputation in the horror genre. For more on Barbarian, you can read our detailed review here.

This upcoming *Resident Evil* reboot marks the second attempt to revitalize the franchise on the big screen. Previously, Paul W.S. Anderson directed a series of six films featuring Milla Jovovich, which, while deviating from the game's plot, amassed an impressive $1.2 billion globally. In 2021, Johannes Roberts directed *Welcome to Raccoon City*, a more faithful adaptation, though it struggled to capture the essence of Capcom's revered game series.

Constantin Film, in collaboration with PlayStation Productions, will produce this new reboot. PlayStation Productions, established by Sony in 2019, aims to adapt its video game catalog into film and television. Notable projects include Uncharted starring Tom Holland, Gran Turismo, the acclaimed The Last of Us TV series, and Twisted Metal. Upcoming ventures from PlayStation Productions include adaptations of Until Dawn, Days Gone, Ghost of Tsushima, Gravity Rush, Helldivers, Horizon Zero Dawn, and a sequel to Uncharted. Additionally, a God of War TV series and a Ghost of Tsushima anime series are also in development.