Resident Evil: "Weapons" Star Confirmed as Lead Actor

The horror flick "Weapons", starring Julia Garner and Josh Brolin, is currently on everyone's lips. But director Zach Cregger already has a new movie in the pipeline: the "Resident Evil" reboot. Cregger was recently a guest on the movie podcast The Big Picture, where he confirmed the lead actor for the new adaptation.

The role will be played by Austin Abrams, who has been associated with the project for some time. The actor can currently be seen in "Weapons" in theaters. He is also known for his roles in the hit series "Euphoria" and the Brad Pitt and George Clooney film "Wolfs".

Cregger further revealed that his "Resident Evil" film will differ from his previous works "Barbarian" and "Weapons". In both the podcast and an interview with entertainment portal Inverse, the director expressed his love for the "Resident Evil" games.

"I am the biggest worshiper of the games, so I'm telling a story that is a love letter to the games and follows the rules of the games."

Nevertheless, he emphasized that the film will tell an original story.

"It is obedient to the lore of the games, it's just a different story. I'm not going to tell Leon's story, because Leon's story is told in the games. [Fans] already have that."

So, there's plenty of reason to be curious about what the new "Resident Evil" movie has in store. Many horror fans are likely to approve of the choice of director – both "Barbarian" and "Weapons" received mostly positive reviews. Audiences will be able to judge for themselves next year: The film is slated for release on September 18, 2026.

Zach Cregger and his films

The horror surprise "Barbarian"

Zach Cregger's "Barbarian" was a surprise for many horror fans in 2022 and quickly became one of the most talked-about genre movies of the year. But why was the film so effective and successful?

Unpredictable structure

One of the biggest appeals of "Barbarian" is its structure. At first, the movie begins in fairly horror-typical fashion: a young woman arrives late at night in a Detroit suburb and discovers that her AirBnB has been double-booked. But the movie quickly develops in surprising and disturbing directions. The movie probably works best when you know as little as possible beforehand.

Cregger radically breaks up the story after the first act, suddenly changing perspectives and tonality, which repeatedly surprises the audience. This unpredictability is a real thrill at a time when many horror films follow familiar patterns. "Barbarian" plays with expectations, deliberately misleading its audience – and that is precisely what makes it so exciting.

Atmospheric horror and visual strength

Visually, "Barbarian" makes masterful use of the run-down setting of a Detroit suburb. The film also skillfully plays with light and darkness, claustrophobic spaces and the fear of the unknown. The sound design and music also make a decisive contribution to the dense, paranoid atmosphere. "Barbarian" is one of those rare horror films that are brave enough to rethink the genre without denying its roots. Its clever structure, dense atmosphere and subtle social criticism make it an exceptional phenomenon.

The current feature film "Weapons"

Zach Cregger's latest horror film "Weapons" was released in cinemas on August 8, 2025 and has already received overwhelmingly positive feedback from critics and viewers. The plot: In a small town, all but one child from a school class disappears at the same time at 2:17 am. The search for answers leads through the eyes of a teacher (Julia Garner), a desperate father (Josh Brolin), a police officer (Alden Ehrenreich) and more. As the film has only recently been released in cinemas, no more should be revealed at this point.

Despite the reboot craze in Hollywood, many fans should be looking forward to the "Resident Evil" remake in view of the director. We can hope that Cregger's fresh perspective and horror expertise can lead to a successful movie. If you've now got an appetite for "Weapons", you can get a first impression with the trailer.