Austin Abrams to Lead Zach Cregger’s ‘Resident Evil’ Reboot

Sony Pictures and filmmaker Zach Cregger are gearing up for a chilling revival of the Resident Evil franchise, with Euphoria star Austin Abrams emerging as the frontrunner for the lead role.

Cregger, best known for his breakout horror hit Barbarian, has penned the script and is set to direct the upcoming film. The reboot is expected to steer the franchise deeper into horror, moving away from its previous action-heavy adaptations. Co-written by Shay Hatten (John Wick: Chapter 4, Army of the Dead), the film is rumored to blend horror with elements of a wilderness survival thriller.

Sony is wasting no time, planning a summer shoot in Europe, with Cregger already scouting locations. The project is backed by Constantin Film, Vertigo Entertainment, and PlayStation Productions, with key producers including Robert Kulzer, Roy Lee (Barbarian), and Miri Yoon (Weapons).

If cast, Resident Evil would reunite Abrams with Cregger, as the actor also stars in the upcoming horror ensemble Weapons alongside Josh Brolin and Julia Garner. Abrams, known for roles in The Walking Dead, This Is Us, and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, has been steadily climbing Hollywood’s ranks. His latest project, Wolfs, an Apple TV action comedy starring George Clooney and Brad Pitt, further cements his versatility.

Unlike past Resident Evil films, this reboot aims to deliver a darker, more terrifying experience, staying true to the survival horror roots of the original Capcom video games. With a promising cast and a visionary horror director at the helm, this new iteration could redefine the franchise.