The upcoming Resident Evil reboot is taking a very different approach from both the video games and previous live-action adaptations. Rather than focusing on legendary protagonists like Leon S. Kennedy or Chris Redfield, director Zach Cregger says the story follows an ordinary man who has no combat experience and is completely unprepared for the nightmare ahead.
Speaking to Empire, Cregger revealed that the film’s central character, Bryan, was intentionally designed as an everyday person rather than another highly trained action hero. The filmmaker, known for Barbarian and Weapons, has previously said the reboot will tell an original story set within the Resident Evil universe instead of directly adapting any single game.
Bryan is meant to be an ordinary survivor
Explaining his vision, Cregger said:
“The concept here is that we’re following an idiot.”
He immediately clarified what he meant, adding:
“Not that he’s stupid, but he’s not your typical game character, with no combat skills whatsoever and completely inept at survival.”
Instead of portraying another elite government agent, Cregger described Bryan as “very much an everyman” who suddenly finds himself carrying an important mission into the center of the unfolding disaster.
To illustrate the character’s role, the director compared Bryan’s journey to Frodo Baggins entering Mordor—a seemingly ordinary individual forced into extraordinary circumstances.
Although the reboot retains familiar franchise elements such as Umbrella Corporation and Raccoon City, Cregger has made it clear that fans should not expect a faithful recreation of the games’ storyline.
Instead, the film introduces new characters while attempting to capture the atmosphere, pacing, and escalating tension that made the survival horror series famous. This creative direction has divided longtime fans, particularly those hoping to see beloved protagonists such as Leon or Chris take center stage.
Borrowing the rhythm of the games
Despite telling an original story, Cregger says he has studied what makes the Resident Evil games so effective.
“It feels like one gigantic sequence,”
he explained.
“Things pop off about five minutes in, and it basically stays like that until the end.”
He added that one of his favorite aspects of the games is how players move through a series of unique environments, each presenting new threats and challenges.
“What I love about the games is that you move from set piece to set piece. Every location has a unique challenge. So again, I’m borrowing from the games directly in that rhythm, where you’re just running through a gauntlet.”
That philosophy suggests the reboot will prioritize relentless pacing and survival horror over recreating specific moments from the games.
The new Resident Evil movie is scheduled to arrive in theaters on September 18, with Cregger hoping his fresh interpretation will appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers looking for a different kind of survival horror story.
