Zach Cregger, acclaimed director of the horror hit Barbarian and a member of the comedy troupe The Whitest Kids You Know, is helming a Resident Evil reboot. The Hollywood Reporter reports a fierce bidding war is underway for distribution rights, with Netflix and Warner Bros. among the four studios vying for the project. Cregger will write and direct this new take on the iconic Capcom survival horror franchise.

Cregger’s 2022 film, Barbarian, about a woman who uncovers a terrifying secret in a rented house, cemented his horror credentials. He's already completed his next film, Weapons, which reportedly has tested exceptionally well with audiences. [Read our Barbarian review here.]

This will be the second cinematic reboot of the Resident Evil franchise. Paul W.S. Anderson's six-film series, starring Milla Jovovich, grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide, though it diverged significantly from the games. The 2021 film, Welcome to Raccoon City, directed by Johannes Roberts, aimed for greater game fidelity but fell short of critical acclaim.

Constantin Film, which produced the previous films and Welcome to Raccoon City, will again produce the upcoming reboot, this time in collaboration with PlayStation Productions. Established in 2019, PlayStation Productions adapts Sony's game properties for film and television, with credits including Uncharted (starring Tom Holland), Grand Turismo, the The Last of Us TV series, and Twisted Metal.

Future PlayStation Productions projects include adaptations of Until Dawn, Days Gone, Ghost of Tsushima, Gravity Rush, Helldivers, Horizon Zero Dawn, and an Uncharted sequel. A God of War TV show and a recently announced Ghost of Tsushima anime series are also in development.