A new Resident Evil movie from writer-director Zach Cregger has been registered with the Czech Audiovisual Fund, suggesting that primary production on the upcoming horror feature may take place in or around Prague. The project was formally registered with the fund by local producer Stillking Films back in April.
The registration with the Czech Audiovisual Fund is not a complete surprise; back in March, Cregger confirmed that he was looking at locations in “Eastern Europe” for his Resident Evil film in his podcast. According to multiple sources, production is expected to begin later this summer; Sony has already penciled in the untitled film for a Sept. 18, 2026 release.
It should be noted that just because Resident Evil has registered with the Czech Audiovisual Fund does not guarantee filming will take place in the country. Christophe Gans’ Return to Silent Hill, due out later this year, had initially registered with the Czech fund in early 2023, but ultimately shot in neighboring Germany—this, however, could have been due to some hiccups with Czechia’s production incentives program that have been resolved as of 2025.
A fresh take on the survival horror franchise
Cregger, who started his career as one of the founding members of the comedy troupe The Whitest Kids U’ Know, has quickly become one the hottest horror directors in Hollywood following the release of 2022 surprise hit Barbarian. His latest film, Weapons, reportedly sparked a bidding war that was ultimately won by New Line; it will release in August after dropping a much-hyped debut trailer last month.
The filmmaker has described his take on Resident Evil as a bold departure from previous film adaptations. At CinemaCon in Las Vegas earlier this year, he teased that his version of the project would be “unlike any of the previous films” and promised a “wild ride” for audiences.
“There’s a moment that comes in every moment of every Resident Evil game where you find yourself standing in the mouth of a dark passageway. One shot in the gun is left,” Cregger told the crowd, emphasizing the sense of dread and tension that fans of the games will recognize.
“You know that something horrible is waiting for you in that darkness, that awful moment where you have to will yourself. That’s something that every Resident Evil game has perfected and has kept me and millions of other players returning to the series for decades.”
He added that his adaptation would stay true to that spirit, following a single protagonist “from point A to point B” as they “descend deeper into hell.” This focus on a tight, character-driven narrative could set the film apart from earlier entries in the Resident Evil franchise, which have leaned more heavily on zombie action than survival horror.
Filmmaker Paul W.S. Anderson produced six Resident Evil films starring Milla Jovovich from 2002’s Resident Evil through 2016’s Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, directing four of them himself. A 2021 feature that was more faithful to the games, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, came and went with little fanfare, possibly due to the Covid pandemic. A 2022 Netflix series titled Resident Evil was cancelled after a single season following negative reception by fans and critics.
The new Resident Evil film is being produced by Sony’s Columbia Pictures, alongside Constantin Film, Vertigo Entertainment, and PlayStation Productions. Constantin Film has been the primary rights holder for Resident Evil adaptations since the late 1990s, and its involvement signals a continuation of the property’s established cinematic legacy. Sony won the rights to develop the latest film earlier this year.
Casting details remain scarce, though Deadline has reported that Austin Abrams (Wolfs)—who worked with Cregger on the upcoming horror film Weapons—has signed on for a lead role. World of Reel reports that Mikey Madison, fresh off her Oscar-winning turn in Anora, has been offered the female lead.
Shay Hatten (John Wick: Chapter 4) is co-writing the new feature with director Cregger, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Hatten also happened to work on the scripts for Ballerina and Army of Thieves, both of which were filmed in Prague.
Latest horror project headed for Prague
While filming in Czechia has not yet been officially confirmed, the registration of Resident Evil with the Czech Audiovisual Fund, along with Cregger’s earlier comments about scouting locations in Eastern Europe, suggests that Prague is a strong possibility for the shoot. If the production moves forward as planned, filming could begin within months in order to meet the scheduled September 2026 release.
The untitled Resident Evil film marks the latest high-profile production potentially headed to Czechia, which has increasingly become a hub for international film shoots in recent years thanks to its competitive incentives program, experienced crews, and historic locations.
Recent horror and sci-fi productions that have filmed in the Czech Republic include Robert Eggers‘ Oscar-nominated Nosferatu and last year’s reboot of The Crow, which both starred noted Prague aficionado Bill Skarsgård. The city has also hosted Blade Runner 2099, the second season of Interview with the Vampire, and multiple seasons of The Wheel of Time and Carnival Row in recent years.
Currently, the Prime Video series Ride or Die, starring Hannah Waddingham and Octavia Spencer, is shooting in the Czech capital through the end of June.
Lead photo: promo art for Resident Evil 2 (2019) / Prague’s National Museum
