Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil Reboot: Plot Details, Timeline Hints, and What to Expect

A trusted industry insider has reportedly unveiled the first plot details for Zach Cregger’s upcoming Resident Evil reboot — and they offer some major clues about when the story might take place in the iconic game series’ timeline.

A New Take on a Legendary Horror Franchise

Resident Evil (or Biohazard in Japan), Capcom’s legendary survival horror franchise, has spawned over 30 titles including mainline games, remakes, and spin-offs. Known for its tense atmosphere, mutated abominations, and a blend of first- and third-person shooter gameplay, the series has become a pillar of horror gaming. Its narrative typically revolves around the nefarious Umbrella Corporation and its experiments with bio-organic weapons, which inevitably lead to widespread outbreaks and the rise of terrifying creatures.

Set in and around the doomed Raccoon City, the series often follows elite operatives like the Special Tactics and Rescue Service (S.T.A.R.S.), who confront the nightmarish consequences of Umbrella’s unchecked ambition. With a new movie on the way, fans are already hoping to see familiar faces like Jill Valentine, Leon S. Kennedy, and Chris Redfield return to the screen.

Cregger’s Resident Evil May Be Set During RE2 & RE3

According to a new report from insider Daniel Richtman (via Comicbook), Zach Cregger’s reboot will follow Bryan, a laid-back organ courier sent on a routine delivery to Raccoon City General Hospital. While traveling through a snow-covered mountain pass late at night, Bryan accidentally hits a mysterious woman with his car. She survives — but clearly, something isn’t right.

As Bryan tries to help, he finds himself caught in the middle of a horrifying outbreak filled with tentacle-based mutations and bio-engineered monstrosities. The fact that Raccoon City is still standing during this chaos suggests the story unfolds during the events of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 — a time when the outbreak was at its peak, right before the city was ultimately destroyed.

However, Cregger has previously stated that his adaptation would differ from the games, aiming for a more grounded and original cinematic experience. While some fans are wary of creative deviations from the source material, others remain hopeful that this fresh vision could finally deliver a satisfying live-action Resident Evil story.

Austin Abrams Set to Star as Bryan

Earlier this year, actor Austin Abrams was reportedly cast in the lead role of Bryan. Abrams is best known for roles in Paper Towns, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and HBO’s hit drama Euphoria. His casting signals a new direction for the franchise, one that focuses on original characters while still staying rooted in the terrifying world Capcom created.

A Franchise with a Complicated Cinematic Legacy

This isn’t the first time Resident Evil has been adapted for the big screen. Director Paul W.S. Anderson launched his own take on the series in 2002 with Resident Evil, followed by five sequels starring Milla Jovovich as the original character Alice. That series concluded with Resident Evil: The Final Chapter in 2016. While commercially successful, Anderson’s films received mixed reviews and often veered far from the games’ storylines.

Cregger’s reboot presents an opportunity to course-correct — especially after the 2021 film Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, which received heavy criticism from fans for its execution.

Release Date

Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil reboot is currently slated for release on September 18, 2026. While many details remain under wraps, fans are cautiously optimistic that this new entry will bring the franchise’s horror roots back to life in a way that honors the legacy while forging its own path.