If you’re a Zach Cregger fan, then there’s no shortage of excitement: “Resident Evil” comes out in September, and then there are two Cregger movies, both written by him and both set for 2028—but only one of them will be directed by him.
Firstly, there’s the much-talked-about “Gladys,” a “Weapons” spin-off exploring Amy Madigan’s Aunt Gladys. It has been dated for September 8, 2028. Cregger has confirmed he is not directing. Perhaps co-writer Zach Shields will take the helm.
Even more interesting is “The Flood,” Cregger’s next film after “Resident Evil.” It has been dated for August 11, 2028. After Netflix reportedly refused Cregger’s demands for a theatrical release, Warner Bros. stepped in.
“The Flood” is a mysterious sci-fi horror film. While the project remains under wraps, the script has reportedly leaked. The story follows a deep-space exploration team aboard the Spiritus Mundi, who pick up a strange, recurring signal from a remote planet. Captain Elena Voss leads the mission to investigate, only to discover a bizarre alien artifact that begins warping time, reality, and the crew’s minds.
Speaking at San Diego Comic-Con, via Variety, Cregger offered his first comments about the sci-fi horror project, and there’s plenty to dissect:
My next horror movie [‘The Flood’] is the last movie of this chapter of my life. It’s structurally unique. I can’t think of another movie like it.
Is Cregger moving away from horror? Calling this the “last movie of this chapter” of his career suggests a pivot could be coming. So far, Cregger has made three horror films: “Barbarian,” “Weapons,” and “Resident Evil.” “The Flood” will be his fourth.
Sony reportedly paid Cregger $20M to helm “Resident Evil” and gave him full creative control to do whatever he wanted with the IP. The bar has now been set high, and Warner Bros. likely had to offer Cregger a similarly attractive deal for “The Flood.”
The only project beyond “The Flood” that Cregger has publicly hinted at is a DCU movie, which he reportedly pitched directly to David Ellison, despite the Paramount/Warner Bros. merger being far from confirmed. The project is “Henchman,” a Gotham City-set story focused on the Joker’s cronies. There’s no word yet on whether the project is moving forward—nor do I suspect James Gunn was too pleased by Cregger going behind his back and going straight to Ellison.
According to THR, Aaron Guzikowski, who wrote Denis Villeneuve’s “Prisoners,” has been hired to write a new “Alien” movie for 20th Century Studios, unrelated to ‘Romulus,’ but connected to Ridley Scott.