--- title: 'Resident Evil Sequel Plans Stop at Zach Cregger’s Ideas—for Now' type: 'blog post' section: 'The Argument' format: 'Editorial feature' standfirst: 'Zach Cregger can imagine another trip to Raccoon City, but no sequel is official. First, his original hero must face moviegoers—and fans still waiting for Leon Kennedy.' author: 'Marcus Reid' published: '2026-09-07' updated: '2026-09-07' about_people: - 'Austin Abrams' - 'Zach Cregger' about_films: - 'Resident Evil (2002)' tags: - 'Will Resident Evil 2026 get a sequel' - 'Zach Cregger Resident Evil sequel plans' - 'Resident Evil movie fan criticism' - 'Austin Abrams Bryan Resident Evil movie' - 'Resident Evil 2026 box office tracking' - 'Why Leon Kennedy is not in Resident Evil movie' sources: - 'https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/movies/will-the-resident-evil-movie-get-a-sequel-zach-cregger-reveals-his-plans-for-the-franchise-and-responds-to-fan-criticism/ar-AA2bGst7' - 'https://gizmodo.com/zach-cregger-gets-resident-evil-fans-he-just-wants-them-to-chill-2000807848' - 'https://fandomwire.com/zach-cregger-resident-evil-tracking-to-make-the-same-record-as-brand-new-day/' - 'https://tbreak.com/resident-evil-cregger-fans-larper/' - 'https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/movies/articles/zach-cregger-says-hes-done-194205043.html' - 'https://theplaylist.net/zach-cregger-austin-abrams-resident-evil-sequel-ideas-interview-20260904/' - 'https://in.ign.com/resident-evil-2026/271104/zach-cregger-already-has-ideas-about-what-hed-do-for-a-second-resident-evil-movie' - 'https://geektyrant.com/news/resident-evil-director-zach-cregger-understands-why-fans-are-frustrated-leon-isnt-in-his-movie' canonical: 'https://cinepixo.com/blog/resident-evil-sequel-plans-stop-at-zach-creggers-ideasfor-now' publisher: 'CinePixo' --- # Resident Evil Sequel Plans Stop at Zach Cregger’s Ideas—for Now *Zach Cregger can imagine another trip to Raccoon City, but no sequel is official. First, his original hero must face moviegoers—and fans still waiting for Leon Kennedy.* By Marcus Reid, 2026-09-07 · The Argument Zach Cregger has ideas for a second *Resident Evil* movie, though no sequel has been announced. The director told The Playlist that he keeps thinking about where the story might go, but the first film has not opened yet. That changes on September 18, 2026, when Sony Pictures releases Cregger’s new adaptation with Austin Abrams as Bryan, a medical courier caught in the Raccoon City Incident. For moviegoers, the point is simple: this may be the start of another series, but the next film depends on how audiences receive a first chapter built around a new man instead of Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield or another familiar game hero. ## Zach Cregger Has Sequel Ideas, Not a Sequel Deal Cregger’s answer to The Playlist was careful. He said he has ideas and cannot stop thinking about other directions for the story, then immediately put the brakes on: the movie has not opened, and he wants to see what happens. That is the useful distinction. A director thinking ahead costs nothing. A sequel requires a studio to commit money, dates, actors and hundreds of jobs. None of the reporting says Sony has done that. There is no announced screenplay, production schedule or release date for a second film. Cregger also drew a line between *Resident Evil* and *Barbarian*. He told The Playlist he had never considered continuing *Barbarian*, while this new movie left him eager to discuss an element of its ending. He did not disclose that element, and neither will I. Friday nights have enough hazards without a reporter planting one in the aisle. ![Zach Cregger at San Diego Comic Con 2026](https://pokemon-dive.us-lax-4.linodeobjects.com/cinepixo/posts/2026/09/241f14ae-5332-43b1-b2aa-54e5aaf4e948.webp) *Photo: Kevin Paul · [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0) · [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zach_Cregger_at_San_Diego_Comic_Con_2026-1.jpg)* ## Bryan Carries the Weight Leon Kennedy Usually Would The new film follows Bryan, played by Abrams, as he takes a delivery toward Raccoon City during a snowy night. Gizmodo and tbreak report that he is a courier rather than one of the games’ established heroes. That casting choice gives Abrams a hard job. Leon arrives with years of recognition before an actor says a word. Bryan arrives with a package and a face the audience must learn to care about while zombies close in. The movie must make his fear, judgment and bad luck matter quickly. I can understand why some players wanted Leon, Jill Valentine or Claire. Cregger can, too. According to IGN, he admitted he had been naive to assume fans would welcome an original protagonist simply because the film aimed for survival horror. GeekTyrant reported his view that the game characters already exist so successfully in their original form that altered movie versions could weaken what he was trying to make. That does not settle the argument. It does explain the choice. ![Austin Abrams-60123](https://pokemon-dive.us-lax-4.linodeobjects.com/cinepixo/posts/2026/09/89035220-b5a1-4823-a606-5c47aa37ae72.webp) ![Zach Cregger at San Diego Comic Con 2026](https://pokemon-dive.us-lax-4.linodeobjects.com/cinepixo/posts/2026/09/7265ca30-c583-4cbd-bcf8-a2972e5a39a5.webp) *Photos: Harald Krichel · [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) · [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=152114038); Kevin Paul · [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0) · [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zach_Cregger_at_San_Diego_Comic_Con_2026-2.jpg)* ## Fan Criticism Turned Promotion Into an “Apology Tour” Cregger told The Playlist that promoting the film had begun to feel like an “apology tour.” Gizmodo reported that he compared the experience to running for office while trying to stop people from calling him a LARPer. There is a funny picture in that: a horror director at an imaginary town hall, defending a medical courier while Leon’s supporters wave placards in the back. Under the joke sits a fair concern. Players have seen *Resident Evil* movies take wide turns away from the games before. Cregger told IGN he had skipped the earlier live-action films because they did not resemble the version of *Resident Evil* he loved. He therefore recognizes the same suspicion when it is aimed at him. His request now is that people judge the finished movie. Gizmodo reported that he wants players to recognize his affection for the games even though he is telling a new story. If viewers remain unconvinced afterward, he said that response would be fair. ![The Whitest Kids U' Know comedy troupe; (L-R) Actors Trevor Moore, Timmy Williams, Darren Trumeter, Sam Brown and Zach Cregger with the LG Electronics Kompressor Vacuum on The 25th Spirit Awards Blue Carpet held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on March 5, 2010 in Los Angeles Stars Take on Charitable Cho…](https://pokemon-dive.us-lax-4.linodeobjects.com/cinepixo/posts/2026/09/1ca03413-40ca-4e30-ba9c-b71d7d9b7484.webp) ![Zach Cregger at San Diego Comic Con 2026-2](https://pokemon-dive.us-lax-4.linodeobjects.com/cinepixo/posts/2026/09/94445307-2c67-4ece-8f07-f0d1fa5a11fe.webp) *Photos: LGEPR · [CC BY 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0) · [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Trevor_Moore,_Timmy_Williams,_Darren_Trumeter,_Sam_Brown_and_Zach_Cregger_with_the_LG_Electronics_Kompressor_Vacuum_on_25th_Spirit_Awards_Blue_Carpet_held_at_Nokia_Theatre_L.A._Live_on_March_5,_2010_in_LA.jpg); Kevin Paul · [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) · [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=196331893)* ## Box-Office Forecasts Give Sony a Reason to Watch Closely The early financial forecasts are hopeful, though they remain forecasts. IGN India cited predictions of a $40 million to $50 million opening weekend. FandomWire, citing industry projections, reported that the film was tracking toward more than $100 million worldwide at launch and said Sony had expanded its overseas promotion. Those numbers should not be mistaken for ticket receipts. Tracking can move, and enthusiasm on a chart does not buy popcorn. Still, this is where the sequel question leaves the director’s imagination and reaches the people who approve budgets. A strong opening would give Sony a practical reason to hear Cregger’s ideas. A weak one would make every proposed monster more expensive in the meeting room. ## Resident Evil May Be Cregger’s Last New Franchise Job A second *Resident Evil* would sit inside an unusual limit. In an interview reported by Yahoo, Cregger said he does not plan to take on another established franchise after this one. He described himself as a writer who wants freedom from checking required boxes for a property. He made an exception for *Resident Evil*, he said, because he loves the games and wanted to make the version he wished existed. That leaves room for another film in this world without opening the door to every studio-owned universe looking for a director. So the answer is yes, Cregger would consider a sequel. The answer is also no, there is not one yet. On September 18, Bryan reaches Raccoon City carrying a delivery; Abrams and Cregger will be carrying the franchise’s next decision with him. ## How this piece was made **Format:** Editorial feature ## In this piece - [Austin Abrams](https://cinepixo.com/people/austin-abrams) - [Zach Cregger](https://cinepixo.com/people/zach-cregger) - 2002 · [Resident Evil](https://cinepixo.com/movies/resident-evil-2002) ## Sources - https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/movies/will-the-resident-evil-movie-get-a-sequel-zach-cregger-reveals-his-plans-for-the-franchise-and-responds-to-fan-criticism/ar-AA2bGst7 - https://gizmodo.com/zach-cregger-gets-resident-evil-fans-he-just-wants-them-to-chill-2000807848 - https://fandomwire.com/zach-cregger-resident-evil-tracking-to-make-the-same-record-as-brand-new-day/ - https://tbreak.com/resident-evil-cregger-fans-larper/ - https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/movies/articles/zach-cregger-says-hes-done-194205043.html - https://theplaylist.net/zach-cregger-austin-abrams-resident-evil-sequel-ideas-interview-20260904/ - https://in.ign.com/resident-evil-2026/271104/zach-cregger-already-has-ideas-about-what-hed-do-for-a-second-resident-evil-movie - https://geektyrant.com/news/resident-evil-director-zach-cregger-understands-why-fans-are-frustrated-leon-isnt-in-his-movie Every factual claim above is drawn from these. The reading of them is ours. Source: https://cinepixo.com/blog/resident-evil-sequel-plans-stop-at-zach-creggers-ideasfor-now Written for CinePixo. Nothing on this page is imported prose.