The adaptation direction of the new Resident Evil movie has sparked controversy, with director Zach Cregger clarifying his creative stance. He stated that he is generally reluctant to direct works based on existing IPs, but Resident Evil was an exception because the film allowed him to create it in his own way.
Previously, a rumor circulated on Reddit claiming that Cregger would no longer engage with any existing franchises after facing significant negative feedback. However, he never made such a statement. When discussing his reluctance to direct other IPs, he cited reasons such as these projects restricting creators and reducing directors to tools of the film industry, rather than expressing dissatisfaction with fan criticism.
The focal point of the debate remains the relationship between the new film and the original game. Craig had previously stated that the game's setting would revolve around the story told in the movie. In April this year, he further described the film as "not canon in terms of characters, but what happens in Raccoon City is canon," before later stating that the movie has no connection to the series' background lore. These conflicting statements have intensified external discussions about the scope of the adaptation.
Based on currently available information, elements recognizable from the game's monsters include zombie dogs and a classic mutation form, while the rest are original designs. The film's timeline has also been shifted to the modern era, no longer adhering to the 1990s setting.
Some players therefore believe that the new film borrows the Resident Evil series name and audience base without directly adapting the plot of any numbered installment. Fans who support faithful adaptations hope to see game stories brought to the screen, while the current direction of this work resembles more of an independent horror film using the series' framework.
The Resident Evil series has previously caused divisions among players due to transformations. The release of Resident Evil 4 changed the series' gameplay direction, and Resident Evil 7 also faced skepticism from some players before its launch. This current film debate mainly focuses on characters, monster designs, the time period, and their relationship to the game's canon.