Resident Evil director Zach Cregger said actor Austin Abrams narrowly avoided being struck by a falling, explosive prop while filming a zombie attack sequence shown in the trailer. The incident highlights the production’s reliance on practical effects for the scene and raises questions about on-set safety, despite Cregger’s joking reaction that the near miss made the footage worthwhile.

Abrams, who plays medical courier Bryan, ran through a street while crane-released, body-sized blood bags weighing about 150 pounds fell and exploded around him; one was released early and missed him by inches. Cregger also described difficult night filming in the Czech Republic involving a threatening dog, and reiterated that the film follows an original civilian protagonist rather than established game characters such as Leon or Claire.