US director Zach Cregger is bringing a new approach to the Resident Evil film franchise. He says his main goal was to stay authentic to the games.

Cregger is known for films including Weapons and Barbarian. He is a major fan of the popular video game series.

For the new adaptation, he focused on capturing the feeling of playing the games. He chose the gameplay experience over directly using familiar characters and stories.

The film follows a new protagonist named Bryan. Austin Abrams plays the character, who works as a courier.

Bryan accepts a late-night delivery job from a hospital. The assignment soon turns into a terrifying experience.

Cregger used a visual style inspired by video games. Much of the filming follows Bryan’s perspective as he moves through dangerous situations.

The camera stays close behind Abrams and moves toward what his character sees. Cregger designed these sequences to create a first-person gaming experience.

Weapon progression is another important connection to the games. Bryan starts with a pistol before gaining access to stronger weapons.

His equipment later includes a shotgun and a machine gun. Cregger believes fans will recognise several familiar elements from the games.

The director also wanted the film to focus heavily on horror. Earlier movie adaptations, including those starring Milla Jovovich, leaned more toward action.

The new Resident Evil film instead explores fear and tension. Cregger said he wanted to recreate the slow sense of dread found throughout the games.

The movie still includes action sequences. However, horror remains central to the director’s approach.

Abrams also prepared physically for the demanding role. He wanted Bryan to appear capable without looking like a superhero.

The actor explained that the character should not initially look prepared for extreme situations. He wanted the audience to believe Bryan was an ordinary person facing danger.

Abrams had another challenge before filming. He had never played Resident Evil before joining the project.

He became familiar with the games after securing the leading role. Despite that preparation, Abrams said he doubts he could survive Bryan’s experience.

Cregger understands that some fans may expect familiar characters and details. The director accepted that his approach might not satisfy everyone.

He said he preferred creating an original story inspired by the elements he loves. His goal was to celebrate the spirit of the games through a new narrative.

The filmmaker believes copying the existing game characters and plot could have weakened his vision. Instead, he focused on the atmosphere and gameplay experience.

This approach gives the new film a different identity from earlier adaptations. It also allows the story to introduce audiences to a new character.

The Resident Evil movie is scheduled to arrive in US cinemas on Friday. It combines horror, action and video game-inspired visuals.

The production aims to connect with longtime fans while presenting an original story. Its success will depend partly on how audiences respond to this different adaptation.

Cregger’s version keeps the franchise’s themes of fear and survival at its centre. It also attempts to recreate the tension that players experience while exploring the games.

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