Resident Evil reboot: Zach Cregger to direct

Time for a new round of "Resident Evil": Five years after "Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City", a reboot of the popular horror series is imminent. Via The Hollywood Reporter, "Barbarian" director Zach Cregger has now been confirmed to direct. He will also write the screenplay.

The previous "Resident Evil" films, directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, are based on the Capcom video games of the same name, which have built up a huge fan base since their debut in 1996. Featuring a mixture of horror, sci-fi and action, the previous films followed the main character Alice – played by Milla Jovovich – as she battled against the murderous machinations of the Umbrella Corporation and hordes of zombies. Despite predominantly negative reviews, the six films grossed a total of 1.2 billion dollars.

Initial sources suggest that Cregger's version will be very different from the previous films. Meaning: closer to the video games and a stronger focus on horror and suspense. There is currently a huge bidding war for the project, with Netflix and Warner Bros. leading the way. Constantin Film and PlayStation Production are once again behind the scenes. There is no start date yet.

Resident Evil: The history of the live-action adaptations

Since its launch in 2002, the "Resident Evil" film series has established itself as one of the most successful franchises in the field of video game adaptations. Based on Capcom's famous games, the films combine a mixture of action, horror and science fiction that has attracted audiences worldwide – and often divided critics at the same time. With six films and a later reboot, the series has grossed over 1.2 billion US dollars at the global box office. But how has this brand developed and what are the highlights and weaknesses of the films to date?

The starting shot: Resident Evil (2002)

"Resident Evil" was released in 2002 under the direction of Paul W. S. Anderson. The plot was loosely based on the video games, but used new characters and elements. The focus was on Alice, played by Milla Jovovich, a character created especially for the films. She wakes up with no memory in an underground laboratory known as the Hive, where the Umbrella Corporation releases the deadly T-virus. Soon she faces an army of zombies and mutants.

The first film laid the foundations for the franchise and quickly found a loyal fan base, even if it received a mixed reception from critics. Many criticized the deviations from the original and the focus on action, but praised the dark atmosphere and Jovovich's performance.

On the road to action: Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004)

The sequel, "Resident Evil: Apocalypse", moved the action to Raccoon City, which had been completely overrun by the virus. Characters from the games such as Jill Valentine and Nemesis were introduced here for the first time. The movie increased the action focus and featured spectacular explosions and intense battles.

Although fans welcomed the appearance of familiar characters, there was again criticism that the films abandoned the horror roots of the games in favor of Hollywood blockbuster elements. Nevertheless, the commercial success was undeniable, paving the way for further sequels.

The escalation: Resident Evil: Extinction (2007) and Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)

With "Resident Evil: Extinction", the film series took a dystopian turn. The plot shifted to a post-apocalyptic desert landscape that was strongly reminiscent of films such as Mad Max. Alice developed supernatural abilities in this part, which reinforced the science fiction aspect of the series.

"Resident Evil: Afterlife", the first 3D film in the franchise, brought the action back to Raccoon City and introduced familiar characters such as Chris Redfield. Both films continued to rely on large-scale action sequences and impressive visual effects, making them box office hits, but continued to be ripped apart by critics.

The climax and finale: Resident Evil: Retribution (2012) and Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016)

WithResident Evil: Retribution, the series took on an almost video game-like structure, with different level-like settings and numerous returnees from previous films, including Michelle Rodriguez and Sienna Guillory as Jill Valentine. The movie was visually impressive, but for many fans felt more like a collection of action sequences with no cohesive plot.

The finale, "Resident Evil: The Final Chapter", promised to bring the story of Alice and her fight against the Umbrella Corporation to a conclusion. The movie delivered big revelations about Alice's origins and wrapped up the series' storyline, but many viewers found the narrative cluttered and chaotic. Despite this, the financial success was impressive and the film ended the series with a worldwide box office take of over 300 million dollars.

The reboot: Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021)

After the end of the Jovovich era, a new start was attempted with "Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City". The film was based more on the first two games and brought iconic characters such as Leon S. Kennedy, Claire Redfield and Albert Wesker to the big screen. The aim was to stay closer to the original and bring the horror aspect to the fore.

Despite these efforts, the reception was mixed. While fans appreciated the efforts to stay true to the original, critics criticized the weak character development and the script. Financially, the film fell short of expectations and was unable to repeat the success of its predecessors.

Criticism and cult status

The "Resident Evil" films exemplify the difficulties of successfully bringing video games to the big screen. While the action and visual staging attracted large audiences, the films were often criticized for their deviations from the original and their simplified storylines. Nevertheless, the series has achieved a certain cult status, not least thanks to Milla Jovovich's charismatic performance and Paul W. S. Anderson's tireless commitment to the franchise.