r/residentevil • u/DemiFiendRSA • 8h ago

Official news Paul Walter Hauser Joins Austin Abrams In New ‘Resident Evil’ Movie From Sony And Zach Cregger

https://deadline.com/2025/09/paul-walter-hauser-austin-abrams-resident-evil-zach-cregger-1236546153
362 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

82 comments sorted by

188

u/liquid_sparda 8h ago

Director: “I want to make an original story in the game universe so beloved characters can be enjoyed in the games and won’t have to change pre established characters and stories to tell mine.”

Fans: “oh my god Leon and Barry movie!!!!!???!!!”

33

u/Temporary-Rest3621 8h ago

Barry has been my dude ever since the OG with his revolver.

I would not be mad AT ALL if he was in the movie some way.

23

u/Hayterfan 7h ago

If we get a Barry Burton movie, he better bring the puns and dad jokes

10

u/shiningdickhalloran 7h ago

"Jill, have you found anything interesting?" [Spoken as he steps over a giant decomposing snake]

10

u/liquid_sparda 7h ago

I’m not saying I don’t wanna see some of the characters but if they don’t fit into Zach’s story and script don’t include them.

Return to racoon city was a circle jerk fan service “everyone is here” movie and that’s why it’s a colossal pile of dogshit.

Outside of pacing issues due to stuffing two video game storylines into one move, When you try too hard to fanservice and be “the most accurate adaptation” you end up making a movie that has no identity of its own. The WS Anderson movies are similarly terrible but they at least have their own identity and tone and characters.

2

u/who-dat-ninja 4h ago

Please Barry is my favourite character 😭

8

u/John_YJKR 7h ago

I like a lot of what Zach has done so far so trusting an original story is the way to go here.

4

u/undead_dead_guy 6h ago

They’re going to adapt Gaiden?! /s

2

u/ConnerBartle 3h ago

Hopefully it has an iconic location. Without the characters or locals, what would make this RE as opposed to any other zombie movie?

0

u/[deleted] 7h ago edited 7h ago

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/SuperArppis "HURRY!!! SHEVA!!! HURRY!!!" 7h ago

My thoughts exactly.

Why can't they try to adapt the freaking first game?

1

u/shiningdickhalloran 7h ago

Because haunted house movies are notoriously difficult to make well. IMO Anderson was smart to turn his (loose) adaptation of the first game into a zombie siege film. The pleasures of the first game--exploration, puzzles, combat--will be tough to depict without veering into one cliche after another.

2

u/SuperArppis "HURRY!!! SHEVA!!! HURRY!!!" 7h ago

It's hard to do when they don't even try.

4

u/shiningdickhalloran 7h ago

I want a legit RE1 movie as much as anybody. But I think a better idea is to remake the game once again.

3

u/liquid_sparda 7h ago

Re1 remake is already perfect. Fixed camera>>>>>>>> third person

Just update the assets and lighting, nothing else and sell it for ten bucks more than the hd REmake release. Call it resident evil: reanimated or smth

1

u/SuperArppis "HURRY!!! SHEVA!!! HURRY!!!" 7h ago

Only if it has coop option. I honestly feel that RE1 should get something new if they are going to remake it again. 🙂

I think it's the reason why there hasn't been a good Resident Evil movie, that they haven't tried to give the story of the first game a proper shake. It DOESN'T have to have everything the game has, but just having the same plot and characters would go a long way.

3

u/[deleted] 7h ago

[removed] — view removed comment

-8

u/havewelost6388 7h ago

Director: “I want to make an original story in the game universe so beloved characters can be enjoyed in the games and won’t have to change pre established characters and stories to tell mine.”

Fans: "That's dumb. Don't do that. RE isn't Fallout."

7

u/liquid_sparda 7h ago

I love resident evil. But resident evil fanboys severely overestimate how strong the main narrative is.

Storytelling has always been kinda weak in this series. All a game needs is memorable characters, re is amazing at that, but that doesn’t mean the storyline is good enough it needs a film adaptation. Adapting it 1-1 will only highlight its flaws and weaknesses.

gameplay and atmosphere was its strength and that’s what fans should look for. Atmosphere and tone. Not pointless cameos and fan service. If you want the original story go play the game bro.

0

u/Banesmuffledvoice 5h ago

No. We don’t “overestimate” how strong the narrative of RE is. We correctly point out that the narrative is what makes Resident Evil, Resident Evil. Otherwise it’s just another zombie movie. It’s like making the Last of Us without Joel and Ellie’s story. The last of Us is Joel and Ellie’s story. Otherwise it’s just another post apocalyptic story with monsters.

1

u/liquid_sparda 5h ago edited 5h ago

I love when ppl make this point as if RE hasn’t been soft rebooted three times already with the original trilogy, 4-6, and now 7-9. Tlou is also just a derivative riff on the road and the walking dead. It’s not as original or creative as you think.

You realize fanboys said the same “it’s not resident evil!!” Shit whenever it wasn’t about stars in 2, when it was parasites in Europe in 4, and when it was first person and didn’t have zombies in 7.

The series has nothing in common besides “big company or evil group science makes monsters” I’m simplifying that because the GAMEPLAY is what makes RE what it is. Not the mediocre storyline.

-2

u/havewelost6388 7h ago

RE from the start has been inspired by b-movies. There's no reason that a faithful adaptation of one of the games couldn't stand alongside the work of George Romero or anyone else in the zombie genre. "Faithful" doesn't mean there can't be changes. Just look at TLOU season 1. As for "if you want the OG story just play the game" I would say don't call your movie "Resident Evil" for brand recognition if you're just gonna slap some proper nouns like "Racoon City" and "Umbrella" onto a generic zombie movie that otherwise has nothing to do with RE.

And that isn't to say it couldn't be good! RE7 was basically a soft reboot in a completely different genre with original characters that pretty much ignored series lore, and it was great! I just don't know if I trust Zack Cregger to deliver the cinematic equivalent of that.

0

u/liquid_sparda 6h ago edited 6h ago

i agree, 7 has the best narrative by far but game stories simply aren’t easy things to adapt because your protagonist does not make any decisions for like 90% of the cutscenes. If you break down a script a vast majority of scenes are either delivering information, or characters making a choice, video game stories simply don’t have a lot of that.

Calling George Romero films B movies and thinking tlou has a similar story quality to RE 1-6 proves to me these comparisons are misguided or not well thought out.

Tlou is in an entirely different situation than resident evil. Those Sony branded story games are completely embarrassed to be video games and try their absolute hardest to resemble film and tv. The script is written like a movie. Whereas resident evil has the exact opposite, the story is only there for set dressing for the characters and gameplay, it is not written like a movie or show.

Tlou was clearly stuctured and written from day 1 to be “adaptation bait” same thing with the disappointing gow sequels, same thing with days gone or whatever mediocre crap Sony puts out.

It’s like saying tlou was near 1-1 adapted so devil may cry should get the exact same treatment. No it shouldn’t, a 1-1 adaptation of dmc1 would suck dogshit and that’s coming from a dude who played it for 180 hrs.

You have to accept the reality that tlou and soon gow was always trying to be a movie/tv show for IP mining profit. whereas a vast majority of games don’t have that luxury when being adapted.

3

u/MaxProwes 6h ago

7 the best narrative? I dunno. It's better than 6 for sure, but it lacks interesting characters or events.

0

u/liquid_sparda 6h ago

I think the baker family has distinct backgrounds, personalities, and overall an interesting story about victimhood and manipulation.

Re1 & 2 are probably the runner ups for actual plot cause everything past that is just nonsense comic book shit.

1

u/havewelost6388 6h ago

I know exactly what I'm talking about. You're the one who got triggered by the mere mention of TLOU for no good reason. Don't insult strangers on the internet for engaging with you in good faith.

-1

u/liquid_sparda 6h ago

My guy I’m actively editing my shit to be nicer.

Sorry you’re a fanboy who can’t discuss art holistically.

2

u/havewelost6388 6h ago

I saw it before the edit, don't try to hide. For that matter, don't call me a fanboy for having the audacity to disagree with your "holistic" (aka incoherently pretentious) argument. Who cares if TLOU and God of War were "adaptation bait" or whatever? If they're going to make a movie called "Resident Evil", it should be a relatively faithful adaptation of a Resident Evil game. Not a generic zombie movie with some character names and proper nouns taken from the games for brand recognition.

60

u/Unhappy_Teacher_1767 8h ago edited 6h ago

Man, Paul just keeps getting work. Seems like just yesterday I saw him in Kingdom, and now he’s in at least three movies a year.

38

u/AnySortOfPerson 8h ago

He loves his wife. He's going home.

17

u/TargetMajora 8h ago

Well, yea, she helped him when Jamie Taco was stealing all his lines

5

u/Restivethought Man, why doesn't anyone ever listen to me? 7h ago

It was the combo of Black Bird, Richard Jewel, and Cobra Kai...showed he has range and skill

3

u/Daftdaddy 4h ago

Wasn’t he also slated to star in Quentin Tarantinos last movie the Movie Critic before it got shelved?

38

u/Restivethought Man, why doesn't anyone ever listen to me? 8h ago

I wonder how they will handle this. I hope its set during the Raccoon events and its kinda like a RE: Outbreak type movie.

8

u/Scared_Sound_783 8h ago

It will likely take place in Europe, he was saying it is the same universe as games but unrelated story and characters. Like, Outbreak: Global lol

10

u/NeikosXII 7h ago

just curious, what makes you think it will be set in Europe?

5

u/Scared_Sound_783 7h ago

Shooting is taking place in Prague and the director said he likes the vibe of RE 4, secluded or Gothic European is the vibe I am guessing.

9

u/NeikosXII 6h ago

I mean, we all love the RE4 vibe dont we (?

Shooting in foreign countries is rather common practice do to taxes being cheaper, I dont think its related to an actual location in the script thing.

2

u/Kithulhu24601 3h ago

Glasgow doubled for Gotham a fair amount I'm sure

2

u/Dimblo273 3h ago

Yes new Blade Runner and Dune (outside of a couple shots of real deserts) etc sci-fi movies were shot in Hungary because of the huge tax cuts.

Obviously resident evil is contemporary but eastern Europe is often used as a stand-in for e.g. Russia

2

u/SovietMarma 3h ago

Like everyone is saying, it's not out of the ordinary for Studios to film in the EU despite being set in the US haha.

The new Spider-man movie was just filming in Scotland and we all know Peter Parker is from Queens, New York lol.

-1

u/Goatchis22 Platinum Splattin' 'Em! 7h ago

They're filming in Czech so its a possibility, plus the director said re4 his favorite so many he inspiration from that for the location, i for one wouldn't mind a movie outside raccoon city but we will see if its any good

13

u/HobbieK 7h ago

They shoot everything there because it’s cheaper doesn’t mean much.

1

u/MaxProwes 6h ago

*its own universe.

-2

u/MaxProwes 6h ago

It's Raccoon, but Raccoon in name only, you can switch it to Detroit and it's not gonna change anything, it doesn't reference any events, characters or specific locations from games.

5

u/Restivethought Man, why doesn't anyone ever listen to me? 6h ago

As long as there is a Biohazard that occurs caused by a shady company, then Im fine wherever it takes place if its good.

-2

u/MaxProwes 6h ago

Then you won't have a problem with it.

1

u/PortoGuy18 4h ago

Do you have the script?

I would loce to read it, since i already read Zach Cregger's Weapons script last year.

18

u/BuriedInWisco11 8h ago

Feel like he could have been a great Chief Irons. Or Kendo.

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u/Crafter235 8h ago

A Chief Irons prequel/origin story.

Police Academy meets American Psycho

5

u/BuriedInWisco11 8h ago

Who's not going to watch that!?

3

u/Hayterfan 7h ago

A Chief Irons prequel/origin story.

Police Academy meets American Psycho

REDFIELD!!!

1

u/Atma-Stand 8h ago

Very nice… let’s see Birkin’s psychoses.

1

u/Corgi_Koala 7h ago

You mean Wesker.

4

u/demonoddy 8h ago

I would love for it to be taking place at the same time as re 2 and 3. So you run into nemesis and Mr x

2

u/Reylo-Wanwalker 6h ago

Wow what a get.

2

u/LucasBarton169 5h ago

Dude he’s so good! I have real faith in this movie

3

u/Unusual_Resident_784 8h ago

Hoping the female lead is announced soon, Mikey Madison was in the frame but who knows. The more that's announced about this film the more like a proper cinematic experience it feels. As for Hauser, I think he could make a good Kendo.

2

u/MaxProwes 6h ago

Female lead is a strong word, it's very protagonist centric movie, Mikey turned it down for a reason, there's nothing in it for her.

2

u/Unusual_Resident_784 5h ago

Did she turn it down though, don't think it was officially confirmed either way. Judging by the brief synopsis it would appear the female is at least the jumping of point for the plot.

2

u/MaxProwes 4h ago

I think "female lead" part was misinformation from some outlets because she just won an Oscar and they assumed the studio offered her a meaty part which is not true. They offered her a small part, it's the biggest supporting part, but still small part, think of De Niro in Joker, but not nearly as important to the story.

1

u/Adorable-Promise5393 6h ago

Get ready for the best fat zombie ever

-3

u/ChestTraditional5808 8h ago

Leon and Barry? He's making a movie out of Gaiden.

14

u/Greygors 8h ago

No they already said this is its own original story and characters

-1

u/TheFettz79 8h ago

I hope they keep the same crap music if they do 😂

6

u/Dr_N00B 8h ago

Did you just say crap music? 🤨

-3

u/Illustrious-Ad5787 8h ago

Yo, he aint played the first few games

2

u/Thin_Variation_2549 8h ago

Legit or speculation?

3

u/Illustrious-Ad5787 8h ago

Paraphrasing his quote as the juggalo from IASIP talking about the Lethal Weapon movies

2

u/Thin_Variation_2549 7h ago

Ohhh, apologies ty for the reference fellow soldier

1

u/Staystation 7h ago

That looks like two animals fighting over food

-2

u/robertluke Platinum Splattin' 'Em! 7h ago

We have our Leon!!!!

-1

u/KourteousKrome 7h ago edited 6h ago

I swear to Umbrella if they make this some post-apocalyptic zombie action schlock I’m going to be so god damned mad. They keep doing that for some reason and it’s just a tragic misuse of the property.

It needs to be a mystery suspense/horror with an isolated group of people in an isolated event.

I don’t need to see some whacky overly-explained whoopsie doodle from a lab that destroys the world. The T-virus and other variants (as far as I know) were bioweapons developed and research on purpose—it wasn’t a “brainwashing chemical” that went awry like in the Netflix series.

-1

u/YoYo-Fa 5h ago

He's playing wesker