Resident Evil director Zach Cregger addresses fans upset that his film does not follow Leon Kennedy, saying he was naive about their hopes.
The latest effort to adapt Resident Evil for the big screen premieres on Friday, September 18. Many longtime fans of the franchise are disappointed that the film still hasn’t properly introduced Leon Kennedy, one of the most beloved protagonists in modern gaming history. Cregger admits this film won’t be that movie either and is addressing fan backlash over the film’s previews.
- RELATED: Does Leon Kennedy Die in Resident Evil Requiem?
Zach Cregger Admits He Underestimated Leon Fan Demand
In an interview with IGN, Zach Cregger says he underestimated and didn’t appreciate the fan base’s desire to see Leon Kennedy in a film. However, he says he would be hypocritical not to understand this position, since he has never seen any previous Resident Evil film adaptations because he doesn’t believe they accurately depict the franchise he enjoys.
He adds that he hopes fans will attend theater screenings and leave seeing his real passion for the series and the pride he takes in creating a Resident Evil Survivor horror film.
“I thought that the fans of these games, like me, would be thrilled that somebody was coming along and turning Resident Evil into a survival horror movie. And I was like, ‘That’s great.’ I did not really appreciate the sentiment that we’ve been waiting forever for Leon’s story. I appreciate that, and I’m sorry that that’s not the story that I’m bringing here.
“I mean, I get it. I understand the frustration. I understand it so well because I haven’t seen the earlier movies, because they don’t look like the Resident Evil that I love. You know what I mean? So how could I be frustrated with fans who have that same attitude? My only hope is that they will see the movie regardless of their skepticism or their disappointment that I’m not telling some of the stories that the games tell so well, and they will feel seen when they do watch the movie, and they will recognize all of the love for the games that is in this movie.”
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