Austin Abrams Confirmed as Lead in New Resident Evil Movie

Austin Abrams Takes Lead in New Resident Evil Film Adaptation

It's official: Austin Abrams, known for his roles in "The Walking Dead" and "Euphoria," has been confirmed as the lead actor in the upcoming Resident Evil movie adaptation. Director Zach Cregger personally confirmed the casting nearly three weeks after initial reports from insider Daniel Richtman hinted at Abrams taking on the protagonist role, a character named Brian.

Director's Vision: A 'Crazy' and 'Wild' Ride

In an interview with YouTube channel Ringer Movies, Zach Cregger offered some insight into his approach to the new film. Notably, Cregger admitted he hasn't watched previous Resident Evil movie adaptations, emphasizing his intention to forge a distinct path. He compared his upcoming work to "Evil Dead 2," promising a "crazy, fun, and wild" experience.

Cregger expressed high praise for Abrams, stating, "Austin Abrams is my guy. With him, we’ll make a strange, fun, and wild story." He further elaborated on the film's narrative, describing it as a real-time journey from point A to point B, where the character delves "deeper and deeper into the abyss of hell."

For Cregger, this project is deeply personal: "This is truly my love letter to games. This is a story I wanted to write, regardless of whether I got the rights to adapt the series or not. It just so happened that the people responsible for Resident Evil liked me. So, I get to play with this material. I'm doing this because I think this film is going to be damn cool." This suggests an original storyline, not directly adapting existing game plots or characters, which aligns with previous reports that the new film would not focus on familiar heroes.

Production Details and Release

The film is currently slated for a September 18, 2026 release. It is a collaborative effort between PlayStation Productions, Vertigo Entertainment, and Constantin Film, with Sony Pictures set to handle distribution. This new adaptation marks a fresh direction for the Resident Evil cinematic universe, promising a unique and director-driven take on the beloved horror franchise.

Fans of the Resident Evil games and horror cinema will be keen to see how Cregger's vision translates on screen, especially with his focus on an original story and a protagonist not drawn from the games' established lore. The comparison to "Evil Dead 2" suggests a blend of horror and dark humor, potentially offering a different flavor than past adaptations.