This article contains spoilers from the Resident Evil games.
A reliable movie insider has seemingly revealed the plot of Zach Cregger’s upcomingResident Evilmovie, and some details may point to the adaptation’s place in the game series’ timeline.Resident Evil, also known asBiohazardin Japan, is a survival horror game franchise created by Capcom, where players embark on first-person and third-person shooter gameplay while facing mutated, zombie-like creatures. The IP has accumulated over 30 games, both from the main series and remakes, including the next project in the works titledResident Evil Requiem.
Revolving around the Umbrella Corporation, which develops mutagenic viruses for its bio-organic weapons research, and its control over the fictional Raccoon City, the franchise often sees the elite police task force, known as the Special Tactics and Rescue Service, tackling mindless zombies and nightmarish monstrosities as a result of Umbrella’s work. With the new cinematic project in mind, wishlists are being compiled forResident Evilheroes that deserve to be in the new live-action movie, including iconic characters Jill Valentine, Chris Redfield, and Leon S. Kennedy.
Resident Evil Movie May Be Set During the Second and Third Games of Capcom’s Series
Thanks to a new report from movie insiderDaniel Richtman on Patreon(ThanksComicbook), it has been revealed that Cregger’sResident Evilmovie will follow a courier named Brian, who is tasked with delivering a package to Raccoon City General Hospital. After encountering a mysterious woman on his travels, Bryan is faced with a “full-blown outbreak involving tentacle-based mutations and bio-engineered monstrosities.” Considering the massive outbreak, with Raccoon City still intact, this places the movie during the events ofResident Evil 2andResident Evil 3, as both games showcase a major outbreak in the city that results in a bomb being dropped on the location. That being said,Cregger previously teased hisResident Evilmovie would be different from the gamesto aim for a more authentic adaptation. Departing from the game’s lore, story, or iconic aesthetic has understandably divided fans, but perhaps a difference in creative style will be enough to set the director’s modern take apart from its predecessors.
Bryan (Austin Abrams), a laid-back organ courier, is sent on a late-night delivery to Raccoon City General Hospital. En route through a snowy mountain road, he accidentally hits a strange woman with his car. She survives—but something is very wrong. As he tries to help, Bryan stumbles into a full-blown outbreak involving horrifying tentacle-based mutations and bio-engineered monstrosities.
Of course, theResident EvilIP has been tackled before in Paul W.S. Anderson’s live-action adaptations, beginning in 2002 with a self-titled entry. Five sequels followed, and the Milla Jovovich-led series concluded withResident Evil: The Final Chapterin 2016. Jovovich played original character Alice, whose mission was to battle against Umbrella with notable characters Claire Redfield and Ada Wong, alongside antagonists Albert Wesker and James Marcus.Anderson currently has his hands full with theHouse of the Deadadaptation, but the director left a catalog of stylizedResident Evilentries that future creatives may want to divert from.
Another exciting tidbit from the reboot arrived earlier this year, whenCregger’sResident Evilmovie seemingly found its lead star. Austin Abrams was touted to be the project’s first choice to portray the protagonist, and movie buffs will know the actor from films such asPaper TownsandScary Stories to Tell in the Dark, as well as HBO’s hit showEuphoria. Going by the last adaptation,Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, which was notably dragged through the mud by fans, the zombie community will be keeping its fingers crossed that Cregger’s attempt gets back to basics.
Zach Cregger’sResident Evilreboot is expected to be released on June 17, 2025.
