Resident Evil: Why Leon Kennedy’s Absence in Zach Cregger Movie Is a Good Thing

During a recent interview, director Zach Cregger explained why he prioritized his new Resident Evil movie’s story “first and foremost” over trying to find a way to adapt Leon Kennedy or any of the video game characters. Cregger felt that including them in the self-contained story just didn’t match the vision he had for the movie.

The new Resident Evil movie is directed by Cregger, who co-wrote the screenplay with Army of the Dead and John Wick: Chapter 4 scribe Shay Hatten. It is led by Euphoria star Austin Abrams as a medical courier who gets trapped in a town filled with raging mutated zombies. The movie is scheduled to arrive in theaters on September 18, 2026.

“In an all-new story, Resident Evil follows Bryan, a medical courier who unwittingly finds himself in an action-packed, non-stop race for survival as one fateful, horrifying night collapses around him in chaos,” reads the official synopsis.

Why could Leon Kennedy’s absence in the new Resident Evil movie save the franchise?

I’m convinced that Cregger’s creative decision to exclude popular video game characters like Leon Kennedy is actually a good thing for the Resident Evil franchise. Some fans are disappointed that the upcoming live-action film won’t be a faithful adaptation of Capcom’s beloved horror video game series. However, since previous adaptations and reboots have already done this, now is the perfect time to explore a new direction that may benefit the franchise in the long run.

Cregger’s vision of delivering a character-focused Resident Evil movie is the best way to reintroduce the franchise to moviegoers who have been tired of seeing typical and formulaic blockbuster action movies. Not adapting an existing storyline or character from the video games also lets the film stand on its own and avoid expectations that come with adapting an existing source material. It also allows non-gamers to enjoy the movie without needing to know the game’s lore. In addition, Cregger opting to center the story around an “everyday man” character, instead of your usual action hero, is a refreshing take on the franchise. This new perspective would also allow fans to invest more into the character’s journey, instead of focusing on any stylized action sequences.

Overall, the studio was wise to trust Cregger’s vision for the new Resident Evil movie. We’ve already gotten seven almost identical live-action adaptations before; we don’t need another version of that. Even though it’s not a faithful adaptation, the new film has instead adapted the horror video game’s thrilling & intense gameplay. Watching its trailer, fans can already feel the protagonist’s dread and terror from his nightmarish situation. It’s definitely exciting to see Cregger’s full vision when it arrives in theaters this September.