Sony Pictures is unveiling an original Resident Evil tale from Zach Cregger that steers away from direct game adaptations and instead offers a new story set in the franchise’s universe, filmed for IMAX and slated for September 18, 2026. The narrative follows Bryan, a medical courier drawn into a nightmare night in Raccoon City as survival horror elements unfold around him, with Cregger and writer Shay Hatten crafting the screenplay. The marketing has highlighted a darker, cinematic approach that retains franchise touches while introducing fresh mythos, including nods like the iconic typewriter and shotgun ammo box in trailers. Multiple outlets describe Cregger’s approach as a love letter to the games, aiming to balance fan service with a standalone experience that emphasizes tense, high-stakes sequences and brutal stunts. Behind-the-scenes features and early footage underscore the intensity of the stunt work and the decision to depart from a strict game-for-game adaptation, focusing instead on telling a high-energy, fear-forward story. The film’s trailers and press previews have driven anticipation for a larger–than–life horror experience tied to a familiar world, with expectations of strong performances from Austin Abrams as Bryan and a persistent focus on survival over familiar plot points from the games.