The upcoming Resident Evil movie from Weapons and Barbarian director Zach Cregger won’t feature Leon, Claire, Jill, or any other characters from the games. Cregger says their stories are already told — and best experienced by playing the games themselves.
“I’m not going to tell Leon’s story, because Leon’s story is told in the games. Fans already have that,” Cregger told Video Games Chronicle.
Instead, the film will follow a new cast in an original storyline set within the Resident Evil universe. It will still stick to the rules, tone, and biohazard themes established in Capcom’s long-running survival horror series, but without retelling existing game plots.
Why This Direction?
- Respect for source material – Cregger wants to avoid rehashing established arcs.
- Room for creativity – New characters mean fresh scenarios without canon conflicts.
- Still authentic – The movie will lean on the same atmosphere and lore fans know.
This approach marks a shift from previous adaptations, which often tried to cram in familiar characters and story beats — sometimes at the cost of coherence. Cregger aims to give fans something set in the same world, but not bound by it.
The Resident Evil reboot is currently set for cinema release on 18 September 2026.
FAQ
Will Leon, Jill, or Claire be in the movie?
No. Cregger says their stories are already told in the games.
Is the film still connected to Resident Evil lore?
Yes, it’s set in the same universe and will follow the established tone and rules.
When is the movie out?
18 September 2026.
