As we get closer to the September 18th theatrical release for the new Resident Evil film, director Zach Cregger has revealed more details about his love for the franchise and how many elements from the games will be present in the movie, despite the latter telling an entirely new story that just happens to be set in the same universe.
“I happen to worship these Resident Evil games and pull a lot of inspiration from the experience of playing them. I tried to keep the environment changing every seven or eight minutes, like the games. You’re always kind of moving into another level, as it were.”
Cregger also spoke about how the progression of a typical Resident Evil game also inspired the general pacing of the film, as well as the obstacles faced by its protagonist as he tries to survive the zombies.
“The games always kind of have this progression where you start with a pistol, and then you graduate to a shotgun, and then you graduate to a machine gun. There’s a lot of items from the games. [The protagonist] is constantly coming up against these padlocks that are stopping him from progressing.”
“You won’t be able to help but notice some of the healing spray cans, some of the green herbs. You find these typewriters periodically as you’re moving through this world. This is an opportunity for me to be loyal to the games in spirit and in tone, and build a story that just puts you in that scenario again and again and again with increasing stakes.”
In the past, Cregger has spoken about how, while his film won’t be a direct adaptation of any of the Resident Evil games, it will still be “obedient” to the overall lore and the rules established throughout the franchise.
“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. 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.” Following up on fans that might want to see a more faithful adaptation of Resident Evil games, Cregger said that “They can play the game.”
Back in February, CEO of Resident Evil film rights holder Constantin Film, Oliver Berbin, spoke about how Cregger has essentially been given carte blanche when it comes to making the movie. He also stressed the importance of a new generation of storytellers being given the reins to the IP to tell a new story.
“With Resident Evil, we have had an incredible journey with one of the most successful international IPs of more than a billion dollars at the box office for many years, and now we are creating something new, not just a new story idea, but to allow a new generation to take the IP into their own hands and form something different.”
