Zach Cregger: Austin Abrams New Resident Evil Avatar
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- Zach Cregger says the new Resident Evil film debuts Sept. 18, starring Austin Abrams as original courier Bryan, a fresh protagonist outside the game canon.
- Austin Abrams is cast as Bryan, a normal‑guy medical courier who becomes an “avatar” for gamers thrust into Raccoon City’s outbreak.
- Netflix scrapped its Resident Evil series after one season in 2022, underscoring the franchise’s shift back to theatrical releases.
- Resident Evil franchise has earned $1.2 B worldwide across seven movies since 2002, showing strong box‑office draw.
- Sony acquired the film project in March, adding it to its slate and aiming to capitalize on the franchise’s legacy.
Why it matters: Sony Pictures gains a fresh box‑office hook with the Sept. 18 release, adding revenue to the $1.2 B franchise total, while Netflix’s earlier series flop, tied to a 9‑10% stock drop, shifts the IP back to cinema, boosting fan engagement.
