Zach Cregger says he’d want “some hand” in future Resident Evil films, even ones he doesn’t write or direct. That sits awkwardly beside his stated plan to steer clear of franchise work after the fan backlash to his take on Capcom’s horror series.
IGN reports that Cregger made the comments on The Town with Matthew Belloni. The host asked whether he’d be fine with five Resident Evil movies that he only produced. Cregger replied that he would want to have “some hand in them”, adding that he can’t help having an idea of where the franchise could go. He also flagged his own wording, noting he was “calling it a franchise”. That’s the word he has said he’s done with.
The remark follows a pattern. Cregger told The Playlist in September that he couldn’t help thinking about other places the story could go, which we covered in our earlier post on his sequel ideas. In the same interview he contrasted the film with Barbarian. He had never considered a follow-up to that one, he said, because its story is “so foul” at its heart. He called Resident Evil “a different situation” and said he wants to talk about its ending.
The swearing-off comes from the reception. The film follows an average man through the Raccoon City Incident rather than retelling the games, and a vocal part of the fanbase objected. On the podcast, Cregger said he was frustrated that the discussion was about whether the film matched different fans’ standards for the games rather than the film itself. We saw an earlier version of that mood when he said promoting the film felt like running for office. Dread Central, citing the same interview, reports that he added “never say never” when asked about working with another established property.
Where a sequel stands
Nothing is official. Yahoo’s report on the interview says Cregger didn’t confirm whether he’d return as director, and Comic Basics notes that Sony hasn’t announced any plans. The commercial case is strong, though. The film took a franchise-best $108.3 million worldwide opening, and ComicBook.com says it has now passed $400 million worldwide.
The ending is the obvious hook for a follow-up. Austin Abrams has called it risky and gutsy, and Cregger has said it’s worth discussing. For now, what he wants is a seat at the table if the films continue.
Has a Resident Evil sequel been announced?
No. Cregger has talked about ideas and about wanting involvement, but no studio has announced a follow-up.
Will Zach Cregger direct another Resident Evil film?
He hasn’t said. On The Town he only said he’d want some hand in future films, even if he produced them without writing or directing.
Did Cregger rule out franchise films?
IGN says he decided against working on a “franchise” again after the fan reaction. Dread Central reports that he also said “never say never” in the same interview when asked about another established property.
