New Talent Enters the World of Survival Horror

The upcoming Resident Evil feature film, helmed by director Zach Cregger (Barbarian, Weapons), has significantly bolstered its cast, adding a trio of recognized actors from popular and critically acclaimed television series. This latest round of casting underscores the project’s high-profile status and its intent to blend genre intensity with sharp, established talent.

The new additions include:

• Zach Cherry (Severance)
• Kali Reis (True Detective: Night Country)
• Johnno Wilson (Twisted Metal, King Richard)

These actors join the previously announced leads, Austin Abrams (Euphoria) and Paul Walter Hauser (Black Bird, The Fantastic Four: First Steps), solidifying an intriguing ensemble for the new cinematic take on the Capcom survival horror franchise.

Key Roles and Character Details Emerge

While specific plot details for Cregger’s vision remain heavily guarded under the fictional Umbrella Corporation, early character descriptions point toward a story featuring new characters designed to honor the ‘spirit’ of the source video games rather than strictly adapting existing lore. This creative freedom is a key differentiator from previous, often criticized, film adaptations.

Details on the new cast roles include:

• Zach Cherry: The Emmy-nominated star of Apple TV+’s hit show Severance is set to play a hospital scientist. Given the series’ themes of biological and corporate horror, Cherry’s casting suggests he will be a key figure entangled in the origin or containment of the mutated creatures.
• Kali Reis: Known for her powerful, Emmy-nominated performance in True Detective: Night Country, Reis will portray an ex-military character. Notably, the role was originally written for a male actor, showcasing a creative pivot in the character’s development and adding significant combat expertise to the ensemble.
• Johnno Wilson: A standout in Peacock’s video game adaptation Twisted Metal, Wilson’s role is currently undisclosed. His background, particularly in the horror-comedy-action space, is a good fit for Cregger’s self-described “Evil Dead 2” style for the movie.

The film’s protagonist, a newly created lead, will be played by Austin Abrams. The overall plot is teased with keywords like “hapless courier, mysterious package, mutated creatures, and corporate conspiracy,” signaling a classic Resident Evil setup with a fresh narrative angle.

Director Cregger’s Vision: A ‘Love Letter’ to the Games

Director Zach Cregger has been vocal about his deep respect for the Resident Evil games, describing his film not as a direct retelling of a game’s story but as a “love letter” to the franchise’s core experience. He aims to capture the specific blend of isolated horror, desperate resource management, and escalating monster encounters that defined the early titles, particularly Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4.

In interviews, Cregger has indicated his film will be an “entirely original story” that avoids the franchise’s staple characters like Leon Kennedy or Jill Valentine, allowing him to focus on a new, terrifying journey for a fresh set of heroes. He has also promised a departure from the dark tone of his previous hits, suggesting a more “rock ’em, sock ’em” action-horror approach, reminiscent of Sam Raimi’s cult classic Evil Dead II.

The film, which was the subject of a major bidding war won by Sony Pictures, is scheduled to be released on September 18, 2026. Production is slated to begin in Prague shortly, marking the start of a new chapter for one of the most popular and lucrative horror franchises in both video game and film history. The inclusion of high-caliber, in-demand actors is a strong indicator that Cregger’s unique, genre-blending approach is set to make a significant mark on the horror movie landscape.

This news signals an era where talent from the most talked-about streaming services and prestige television are actively crossing over into AAA game adaptations, injecting a new level of acting quality and public interest into the genre. Fans are eager to see if Cregger’s commitment to an authentic, high-tension atmosphere can finally deliver the definitive, critically-acclaimed video game movie adaptation the series deserves.