# ‘Resident Evil’ Filmmaker Zach Cregger Reveals the Key Adjustment He Made After Test Screenings 

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/resident-evil-filmmaker-zach-cregger-reveals-the-key-adjustment-he-made-after-test-screenings/
- Published: 2026-09-11T12:12:31+00:00
- Updated: 2026-09-11T18:22:32+00:00
- Original publisher: The Hollywood Reporter
- Original article: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/resident-evil-filmmaker-zach-cregger-test-screenings-1236697134/
- Topics: Entertainment, Film, Gaming, Horror

## Key points

- Cregger cut most jokes from Resident Evil after test audiences found it too funny
- Film out 18 September, follows original character Bryan amid the T-virus outbreak
- Cregger faces fan backlash over creative liberties but says he won't chase approval

## Summary

Director Zach Cregger has revealed that test screenings for his new Resident Evil film led him to strip out much of its comedy after audiences felt the horror-comedy balance skewed too far towards jokes. Cregger, who built his reputation blending scares with humour in Barbarian and Weapons, said removing the comedic material made the finished film stronger and that he does not miss a single joke he cut. The disclosure matters because it illustrates the meticulous, audience-tested approach behind a project that arrives amid a remarkable career turnaround, with Cregger going from a struggling comedy director five years ago to one of Hollywood's most in-demand filmmakers.

Resident Evil, released in cinemas on 18 September, tells an original story centred on medical courier Bryan, played by Cregger's Weapons collaborator Austin Abrams, whose attempt to deliver urgent cargo to Raccoon City General Hospital collides with the franchise's infamous T-virus outbreak. The film, along with Cregger's upcoming Spielberg-produced sci-fi picture The Flood, was reportedly the subject of intense studio bidding, following Weapons' $270 million box-office haul against a $38 million budget. Cregger has acknowledged facing criticism from Resident Evil fans over his use of artistic licence, particularly regarding legacy characters such as Leon S. Kennedy, but says he cannot try to please every corner of the fandom and has suggested this may be the only major franchise entry he takes on.

## Coverage

- [The Hollywood Reporter: ‘Resident Evil’ Filmmaker Zach Cregger Reveals the Key Adjustment He Made After Test Screenings ](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/resident-evil-filmmaker-zach-cregger-test-screenings-1236697134/)
- [PC Gamer: Zach Cregger had to dial down the jokes in his upcoming Resident Evil film because test screeners 'thought it was too funny'](https://www.pcgamer.com/movies-tv/zach-cregger-had-to-dial-down-the-jokes-in-his-upcoming-resident-evil-film-because-test-screeners-thought-it-was-too-funny/)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.