Resident Evil Director Explains Why Leon Won’t Feature in New Movie: “The Games Have Already Covered His Story”
When the first trailer for the upcoming Resident Evil movie dropped online earlier today, reactions were mixed, as expected for a film that appears to lack any of the franchise’s iconic characters. Some fans were thrilled, while others felt let down. Director and writer Zach Cregger, known for his work on Weapons and Barbarian, explained that he aimed to avoid retelling Leon’s story or revisiting past game events, deeming it “redundant” and likely “disappointing.”
In a recent chat with an outlet, Cregger emphasized that this film isn’t a direct adaptation of any specific game or character arc. Instead, it presents a fresh narrative set in the Resident Evil universe, roughly coinciding with the events of Resident Evil 2.
“I wanted to craft a story that fits within the Resident Evil world but doesn’t rehash what the games have already explored,” Cregger stated. “To me, telling Leon’s story would feel like a no-win situation since the games do such an excellent job. It would just be redundant and, ultimately, disappointing.”
Later in the interview, Cregger reiterated that this is indeed a new story within the Resident Evil universe.
“I’m very mindful about discussing the movie on behalf of the game fans,” he shared. “I know some fans will only be satisfied if I stick to the game narratives. But I’m not going that route because I wouldn’t do it justice. The games already tell that story so well.”
For those concerned about the absence of Resident Evil lore or elements in this film, there’s no need to worry. Cregger assured that the movie will include nods to the games. When asked about the essential components of a Resident Evil story, he noted, “The world of Resident Evil is defined by the T-virus, which the Umbrella Corporation unleashed, leading to a catastrophic zombie mutant outbreak. Everything is spiraling out of control, and that’s an exciting playground for me.”
This suggests that the film will connect to the broader Resident Evil universe without relying on Leon and other familiar characters to take center stage. Personally, I’m all for this approach. We’ve seen plenty of Resident Evil films, both animated and live-action, featuring returning characters and storylines from the games. I’m much more excited about Cregger’s vision for a Resident Evil movie: a straightforward narrative set during the events of one of the games, designed to be genuinely scary and tense. It seems like a smart way to breathe new life into the Resident Evil franchise.
