Resident Evil: "Weapons" star confirmed as lead actor
"Weapons" director Zach Cregger is behind the horror reboot
The horror flick "Weapons" with Julia Garner and Josh Brolin is currently generating a lot of buzz. But director Zach Cregger already has a new film in the pipeline: the "Resident Evil" reboot. Cregger was recently a guest on the movie podcast The Big Picture and also confirmed the lead actor of the reboot.
It is Austin Abrams, who has been linked to the project for some time. The actor can currently be seen in "Weapons". Abrams is also known for his roles in the hit series "Euphoria" and in the Brad Pitt and George Clooney film "Wolfs".
Cregger also revealed that his "Resident Evil" film will be different from his previous works "Barbarian" and "Weapons". Both in the podcast and to the entertainment portal Inverse, the director also emphasized his love for the "Resident Evil" 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."
Nevertheless, he will tell his own story.
"It is obedient to the lore of the games, it's just a different story. I'm not going to tell Leon's story, because Leon's story is told in the games. [Fans] already have that."
So it will be interesting to see what awaits us in the new "Resident Evil" film. Many horror fans are likely to approve the choice of director – both "Barbarian" and "Weapons" are largely well received. You can see for yourself next year. The theatrical release is set for September 18, 2026.
Zach Cregger and his films
The horror surprise "Barbarian"
Zach Cregger's "Barbarian" was a surprise for many horror fans in 2022 and quickly became one of the most talked-about genre movies of the year. But why was the film so effective and successful?
Unpredictable structure
One of the biggest appeals of "Barbarian" is its structure. At first, the movie begins in fairly horror-typical fashion: a young woman arrives late at night in a Detroit suburb and discovers that her AirBnB has been double-booked. But the movie quickly develops in surprising and disturbing directions. The movie probably works best when you know as little as possible beforehand.
Cregger radically breaks up the story after the first act, suddenly changing perspectives and tonality, which repeatedly surprises the audience. This unpredictability is a real thrill at a time when many horror films follow familiar patterns. "Barbarian" plays with expectations, deliberately misleading its audience – and that is precisely what makes it so exciting.
Atmospheric horror and visual strength
Visually, "Barbarian" makes masterful use of the run-down setting of a Detroit suburb. The film also skillfully plays with light and darkness, claustrophobic spaces and the fear of the unknown. The sound design and music also make a decisive contribution to the dense, paranoid atmosphere. "Barbarian" is one of those rare horror films that are brave enough to rethink the genre without denying its roots. Its clever structure, dense atmosphere and subtle social criticism make it an exceptional phenomenon.
The current feature film "Weapons"
Zach Cregger's latest horror film "Weapons" was released in cinemas on August 8, 2025 and has already received overwhelmingly positive feedback from critics and viewers. The plot: In a small town, all but one child from a school class disappears at the same time at 2:17 am. The search for answers leads through the eyes of a teacher (Julia Garner), a desperate father (Josh Brolin), a police officer (Alden Ehrenreich) and more. As the film has only recently been released in cinemas, no more should be revealed at this point.
Despite the reboot craze in Hollywood, many fans should be looking forward to the "Resident Evil" remake in view of the director. We can hope that Cregger's fresh perspective and horror expertise can lead to a successful movie. If you've now got an appetite for "Weapons", you can get a first impression with the trailer.
