The director of the upcoming Resident Evil movie has discussed his vision for the adaptation, including plans to shift away from the source material in some ways, even if it upsets some fans.

In the new issue of SFX magazine (via GamesRadar), Zach Cregger said he isn’t aiming to be “completely obedient to the lore of the games” with the film. He didn’t elaborate on the specifics of what changes he might make, but Cregger said he isn’t planning to break “any major rules” of the franchise.

He also assured fans that he is a “gigantic Resident Evil game fan,” adding that he’s played every entry in the series and has a specific fondness for Resident Evil 4. He said he can’t even count the number of times he’s played that game.

Instead of being “obedient” to the game’s lore, Cregger said he is aiming to “tell a story that just feels authentic to the experience you get when you play the games.”

While Cregger is clearly a fan of the Resident Evil franchise and wants to tell an authentic story, he understands that, “No matter what I do, people are going to come for me online.”

“So all I want to do is just make a really good movie and tell a story that’s compelling. I know that I’m gonna be happy with the movie, and hopefully other people will, too,” he said.

Cregger previously directed 2022’s horror movie hit Barbarian, which was his own original idea. Following the success of that movie, Cregger is coming back with another original movie, Weapons, which releases in August starring Julia Garner and Josh Brolin. Resident Evil is based on Capcom’s franchise and represents Cregger’s first adaptation of a major franchise.

Barbarian wasn’t Cregger’s first movie, though, as he and his late Whitest Kids U’ Know troupe member Trevor Moore directed the poorly received sex comedy Miss March in 2009.

As for the Resident Evil game series, Resident Evil: Requiem is coming in February 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. A mobile game, Resident Evil Survival Unit, is in the works, too.