"Barbarian Director to Reboot Resident Evil"

Zach Cregger, renowned for directing the horror film Barbarian and being part of the comedy troupe The Whitest Kids U' Know, is set to helm a new reboot of the iconic Resident Evil franchise. According to The Hollywood Reporter, a fierce bidding war has emerged among studios vying for distribution rights to Cregger's vision of the classic Capcom survival horror series. Four studios, including Netflix and Warner Bros., are currently in the race.

Cregger's directorial debut, Barbarian, released in 2022, captivated audiences with its chilling narrative about a woman uncovering a terrifying secret in a rental house. His upcoming film, Weapons, has reportedly received overwhelmingly positive test screenings, further solidifying his reputation in the horror genre.

This new Resident Evil project marks the second reboot of the franchise on screen. Previously, Paul W.S. Anderson directed a series of six films featuring Milla Jovovich, which, while deviating from the source material, amassed a global box office of $1.2 billion. In 2021, Johannes Roberts attempted a more faithful adaptation with Welcome to Raccoon City, yet it fell short of the acclaim enjoyed by Capcom's original games.

Constantin Film, in collaboration with PlayStation Productions, will produce this latest reboot. PlayStation Productions, established by Sony in 2019, has been instrumental in adapting various video games into films and series, including Uncharted starring Tom Holland, Gran Turismo, the The Last of Us TV series, and Twisted Metal.

Looking ahead, PlayStation Productions has a robust lineup of projects in development, such as Until Dawn, Days Gone, Ghost of Tsushima, Gravity Rush, Helldivers, Horizon Zero Dawn, and a sequel to Uncharted. Additionally, a God of War TV series and a Ghost of Tsushima anime series have been announced, highlighting the expansive reach of PlayStation's gaming universe into other media formats.