'Resident Evil' Reboot Erupts Bidding war
'Barbarian' director is helmed to write and direct a new film for the horror game franchise
It’s official another Resident Evil reboot is stirring up the pot in Hollywood. Inducing an intense bidding war based on the popular video game series and media franchise. The project features four studios competing, including Warner Bros. and Netflix, according to sources.
Zach Cregger, the director behind the box office hit Barbarian is attached to direct and write. Working alongside Cregger as co-writer is Shay Hetten who previously worked on Zack Synder’s Army of the Dead and John Wick: Chapter 4. Constantin Film, the German-based studio that has harbored the screen rights to the title since the late 90s has been behind previous installments( the infamous Paul W.S Anderson films) and will produce this reboot as well. This adaption is told to be faithful to the games and remain truthful to its horror roots.
But—as wonderful as that may sound, it’s a claim that Resident Evil fans have heard time and time before. Fans of the franchise, myself included, have grown cautious after countless missing-the-mark adaptions after the next.
Exhibit A:
Resident Evil: Welcome to Racoon City. The trailer looked a bit more promising than the previous films. I remember it like yesterday, my father and I— both huge RE fans— gathering around the TV excitedly to only… exchange disheartened glances a quarter of the way through.
Also, how could I forget the utterly disappointing Resident Evil TV show by Netflix?
Exhibit B:
Which to no surprise was canceled after one season, approximately six weeks after release. I can only wish that if Netflix happens to succeed in this bidding war—is to please do these games justice! A part of me hopes Warner Bros. wins this battle. They already have a proven track record with the critically acclaimed The Last of Us (So excited for S2!). Plus, their existing relationship with Sony and PlayStation makes them a worthing contender for this series.
Personally, would’ve love to see a faithful television adaption of the franchise. We'd spend more time with our beloved characters and could delve deeper into their storylines—but a feature it is.
While I have faith that Cregger can bring us the most accurate Resident Evil adaption to date. I can’t help this nagging feeling that history... may repeat itself.