New Resident Evil Film by Zach Cregger Opens in Italy, Eyes Record Franchise Debut
The newest installment of Resident Evil, directed by Zach Cregger, premiered in Italian theaters on Thursday, introducing an original narrative and fresh characters. Austin Abrams stars as Bryan, a courier who confronts a lethal outbreak. Projections for its opening weekend in the U.S. and Canada suggest earnings of $40 million, potentially marking the franchise's highest debut, while the film garnered over 260,000 euros on its opening day in Italy. Originating from a 1996 video game by Shinji Mikami and Tokuro Fujiwara set in Raccoon City, the series has sold more than 180 million copies over three decades, making it Capcom's top-selling title. The previous seven films have collectively earned over a billion dollars. Cregger's film, with a budget of around $80 million, has received favorable early reviews.
Key facts
- The new Resident Evil film is directed by Zach Cregger and opened in Italian cinemas on Thursday
- Austin Abrams plays Bryan, a young courier trying to stop a deadly epidemic
- It is the first film in the saga with an entirely original story and characters not from the video games
- US and Canada first-weekend estimates project $40 million, potentially the franchise's best debut
- The film earned over 260,000 euros in its first day in Italy
- The first Resident Evil video game was released in 1996, developed by Shinji Mikami and Tokuro Fujiwara
- The series has sold more than 180 million copies and is Capcom's best-selling franchise
- Seven films released between 2002 and 2021 grossed over a billion dollars collectively
- The first film, directed by Paul W. S. Anderson, starred Milla Jovovich as Alice and cost about thirty million dollars
- Resident Evil: The Final Chapter surpassed 300 million dollars
- The seventh film, directed by Johannes Roberts, earned just 40 million dollars
- Cregger's film cost about 80 million dollars, more than any previous Resident Evil movie
- Jesse Hassenger of the Guardian praised the film's coherence, brisk pace, and sustained tension
- Owen Gleiberman of Variety called it a light, fizzy viral thriller
Entities
Artists
- Zach Cregger
- Austin Abrams
- Shinji Mikami
- Tokuro Fujiwara
- Paul W. S. Anderson
- Milla Jovovich
- Johannes Roberts
- Jesse Hassenger
- Owen Gleiberman
Institutions
- Capcom
- Umbrella Corporation
- Sony
- Nintendo
- Guardian
- Variety
- Il Post
Locations
- Italy
- United States
- Canada
- Raccoon City
- Midwest