Zach Cregger Explained Why Resident Evil Movie Takes Place In 2026, Not In 1998

This September brings another attempt to bring Resident Evil to the big screen; director Zach Cregger, known for Weapons, has chosen to tell his own story set within the franchise's universe rather than adapt any specific game with its well-known characters. As has recently come to light, though, he's set the film in the present day, sparking a mixed reaction among fans.

As reported by EW, Cregger confirmed at Comic-Con that his Resident Evil film takes place in 2026, not 1998—running parallel to the events of Resident Evil 2, the game. According to him, this was a deliberate choice; he's not aiming to retell the game beat for beat, but to tell his own story while capturing the horror atmosphere above all. You can check out Cregger's fuller comments below:

“This movie doesn’t take place in the ’90s when Resident Evil 2 came out. It takes place in the snow in 2026. That’s why Austin Abrams’ character]has an iPhone. Because I took liberties to tell a story I wanted to tell and make the movie look the way I wanted to make it look.

I am not doing exactly a one-for-one Resident Evil 2 adaptation. There are differences between this movie and the game. So I just want to acknowledge that. I don’t think it makes the movie any worse. I think it looks really f---ing cool to have a horror movie set in the snow. I don’t see enough of those. I like it a lot.

If the barrier of entry is whether I do a one-for-one port, then I guess in that regard, I have failed. But I think the movie is stronger for it.”

Fans have had mixed feelings about the director's comments. Many are confused about the events being shifted to 2026 without explanation, which disrupts the franchise's overall timeline. Others, though, think this could actually work in the film's favor and that Cregger will still land a worthy entry in the franchise.

A couple of weeks ago, a new Resident Evil trailer was released, and it reportedly included several nods to the games' universe through object placement, similar to the original. The film follows a delivery driver named Bryan (Austin Abrams), tasked with transporting a valuable shipment to Raccoon City. All of this unfolds amid a T-virus outbreak in the city, and the trailer shows Bryan forced to fight for survival almost as soon as he arrives. The cast also includes Paul Walter Hauser, Kali Reis, Zach Cherry, and Johnno Wilson. Meanwhile, Obsession star Inde Navarrette has claimed she'd love to be part of a Resident Evil film. Zach Cregger's Resident Evil premieres September 18.

As for Resident Evil video games, Capcom is working on Resident Evil Veronica—the remake of 2000’s original title—and the story DLC for this year’s Resident Evil Requiem. Both titles are set to release in 2027.