Get ready for a fresh take on the undead! Zach Cregger’s upcoming “Resident Evil” movie is generating serious buzz, and early projections suggest it could be the most successful opening weekend ever for a film adaptation of Capcom’s iconic horror franchise. Forget everything you thought you knew; this isn’t your typical zombie flick.
A New Breed of Horror
According to data aggregated by Box Office Pro, a leading trade publication, “Resident Evil” is projected to rake in a staggering $40 million to $50 million during its opening weekend this September. This would not only surpass the previous record but also solidify its place as a major player in the horror genre. For context, “Resident Evil: Afterlife,” previously held the crown with a respectable $26.65 million debut back in 2010.
While other installments like “Resident Evil: Apocalypse” and “Resident Evil: Extinction” managed around $23 million each, and the original film from 2002 earned $17.7 million, even the critically panned “Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City” (which IGN gave a mere 6 out of 10) couldn’t compete with the potential success of Cregger’s vision.
Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil – Official Trailer #2
Beyond Adaptation: A Fresh Perspective
What sets this “Resident Evil” apart is its creator’s conscious decision to move away from a strict adaptation of the games. Instead of trying to replicate what fans already know and love, Cregger focuses on an average Joe thrust into the heart of the Raccoon City Incident. This bold approach has resonated with audiences eager for something new.
Cregger hasn’t completely abandoned the source material, though. Expect plenty of nods to the games, from the frantic search for ammunition to the iconic Heavy Field shotgun shells from “Resident Evil 4,” first-person action sequences, and even a typewriter making an appearance. With a resume boasting critically acclaimed horror films like “Barbarian” and “Weapons”), Cregger’s take on the beloved franchise is generating considerable hype.
Speaking at San Diego Comic Con, Cregger explained his reasoning for deviating from expectations, admitting that he “took liberties” with the source material. “I am not trying to adapt a video game,” he told IGN. “I’m not using the characters from the games. I’m not telling a story that the games tell because I’m not going to be able to do it better than the games. The games are so well executed, and to me, Leon and Claire and these characters, they exist so perfectly in the games that anyone I cast and any difference that I do with them would be, probably, to the detriment of what I was trying to do.”
Cregger’s Resident Evil has been described as an “all gas, no brakes” thrill ride and the “Fury Road of horror. At just one hour and 35 minutes long, we anticipate a relentless pace, and we’re eager to see if these ambitious box office predictions hold true when September 18th arrives.
Virginia (she/her) is IGN’s News Editor. With ten years of experience reporting on games and entertainment, she’s got a storied background in the fighting game community, influencer news, and viral online trends. Find her on Twitter at @TheeMissGlaze.
Source: IGN Gaming
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