Austin Abrams Takes on a Challenging Role in Zach Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’ – First Look at CinemaCon
During its CinemaCon presentation on Monday night, Sony unveiled the first look at the upcoming Resident Evil film directed by Zach Cregger, known for his work on Weapons and Barbarian.
The trailer, which was screened exclusively for attendees, hints at an intense viewing experience for fans of Cregger’s previous projects. It features Austin Abrams as a young man navigating a snowy night to reach a dark, vacant house. In a tense phone call to his girlfriend, he discloses, “Some things have happened,” adding that he is in “a seriously f*cked-up situation” and fears they might not speak again.
While the specifics of the action remain unclear, the trailer offers glimpses of various creatures and striking visuals of bodies falling into the snow from a significant height.
In this adaptation of Resident Evil, Abrams plays Bryan, a medical courier who becomes embroiled in a chaotic night of survival. The film is the latest in the long-running franchise based on the popular horror video game series from Capcom, which has achieved remarkable box office success.
Speaking in Las Vegas, Cregger described the film as “a big, scary ride” that aims to honor the spirit of the games. He noted he has spent the past two decades immersed in the series, describing the games as “naturally cinematic” due to their atmosphere, pacing, resource management, and sense of dread.
Cregger emphasized that his interpretation of Resident Evil will differ from his previous films. He indicated that it will avoid “narrative acrobatics, time jumps, or disorienting chapter things,” promising viewers a direct engagement with a protagonist facing a perilous journey in a hostile world.
Launched in 1996, the Resident Evil franchise focuses on a deadly virus outbreak connected to the Umbrella Corporation. The original film series, led by Milla Jovovich, spanned six films starting in 2002 and grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide. Most recently, Sony rebooted the franchise with Welcome to Raccoon City, directed by Johannes Roberts, in 2021.
Cregger’s Resident Evil is set for release by Columbia Pictures on September 18, with a screenplay co-written with Shay Hatten. Produced by Constantin Film, the film also features actors Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, and Paul Walter Hauser. The production team includes Robert Kulzer, Cregger, Roy Lee, Miri Yoon, Carter Swan, and Asad Qizilbash, with executive producers Oliver Berben, Victor Hadida, Richard Wright, and Robert Bernacci.
