Resident Evil Director Zach Cregger Reveals If Leon or Jill Valentine Will Appear in New Movie: “Fans Already Have That”

With Zach Cregger, known for directing films like Barbarian and Weapons, taking the helm of the new Resident Evil movie, expectations were high that he might deliver a no-nonsense Resident Evil story.

His previous work shows a clear love for horror and suspense, which made people think he’d bring the games’ story back to its roots. But it turns out Cregger has a different plan for the film.

In an interview with Inverse, Cregger made it clear that while he’s a huge fan of the games, his movie won’t focus on the well-known characters like Leon S. Kennedy or Jill Valentine. Instead, he’s creating a new story set in the Resident Evil world but separate from the main game narratives.

He said, “Let me say this: this is not breaking the rules of the games. I am the biggest worshiper of the games, so I’m telling a story that is a love letter to the games and follows the rules of the games.”

Cregger emphasized that the film will respect the Resident Evil lore but won’t follow the stories fans already know. “It is obedient to the lore of the games, it’s just a different story,” he explained. “I’m not going to tell Leon’s story, because Leon’s story is told in the games. [Fans] already have that.”

This approach matches reports from industry insiders who say that the film will introduce a brand-new character, much like how Milla Jovovich played an original role in the early Resident Evil movies from the 2000s. For fans hoping to see Leon or Jill in action on the big screen, this might come as a disappointment. But Cregger has a simple response: “They can play the game.”

While Cregger seems confident in his direction, some fans might worry about the decision to stray from the main characters. This trend of creating new stories within game universes instead of adapting existing plots is becoming common in video game movies. It can attract new viewers who aren’t familiar with the games, but it risks leaving longtime fans feeling left out. After all, many of those fans want to see their favorite characters brought to life faithfully.

Cregger also admitted in the past that fans will be pissed at him due to focusing on a different angle and not staying completely true to the lore of the series:

“People are going to come for me online,” he said, but added that he’s not going to let that stop him. “I just want to make a really good movie and tell a story that’s compelling.” He said he’s confident in the final result, whether or not everyone agrees with his choices.

The project itself is already moving forward quickly. In January 2025, news broke that Zach Cregger would be writing and directing the Resident Evil reboot. It is being co-produced by Constantin Film and PlayStation Productions, with Sony Pictures securing the rights and taking over as the film’s distributor in March 2025.

Sony set a release date for September 18, 2026. Filming is planned to take place in the Czech Republic, according to reports from June 2025.

With Cregger leading the way, fans will have to wait and see how his new take on Resident Evil turns out. It’s clear that the movie won’t simply rehash old stories, but instead will offer something fresh within the same universe.

Whether this will satisfy die-hard fans or mainly appeal to newcomers remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Cregger is passionate about the games and is determined to tell a story that honors the original material, even if it’s from a new perspective.

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