The director of the new Resident Evil film is tired of convincing fans not to consider him an impostor

Zak Krueger, director of the upcoming Resident Evil film, says he's been trying to win over skeptical fans who view him as an "impostor," likening the experience to running a political campaign.

Krueger's comments come amid a wave of negative reaction to the new adaptation, which does not retell the games' stories or bring back the franchise's well-known protagonists. He acknowledged that he misjudged the intensity of the backlash, having expected fans would be pleased to see a full-fledged survival horror movie set in the series’ universe. Instead, many viewers have been vocal about waiting for screen adaptations of characters such as Leon and other familiar figures.

The director stressed that the production did not slap the Resident Evil name on the project merely to secure funding. Krueger says his intention was to craft an original story inside the game's world and to populate it with references and elements intended to resonate with longtime fans. He urged skeptics to watch the film before forming a final opinion, arguing that the movie itself will reveal whether he is a genuine fan of the franchise or simply capitalizing on its popularity.

"I feel like I'm on some kind of apology tour. Like I'm running for office and trying to get these people not to call me an impostor," Krueger said.

"I think the movie will speak for itself," the director said.

Resident Evil is scheduled to premiere on September 18, 2026. Early box-office projections estimate the film could take in about $35 million in the U.S. during its opening weekend — which would be the franchise's strongest start to date.