Zach Cregger’s *Resident Evil* is scheduled to debut in just under a week, and the director has been on what he calls an “apology tour” to promote the film, which has faced undue criticism. Nonetheless, Cregger appears to take the feedback in stride.
In a recent conversation with *The Hollywood Reporter*, Cregger recognized the backlash from *Resident Evil*’s test audiences, who believed that the film was “too comedic.” He admitted that he came to agree with this viewpoint, noting that he “also enjoyed the movie significantly more” after making changes based on their input.
“I discovered that viewers really appreciated the film, but considered it too humorous,” Cregger shared. “Thus, throughout my testing, I removed as many of the jokes as I could.” He realized that by reducing the humor, not only did the audience find the movie more enjoyable, but he did as well. “A touch of humor is effective in a horror film, and there isn’t a single joke I eliminated from this movie that I miss,” he continued.
It may come as a surprise that Cregger, recognized for crafting horror films that fuse comedy with frights, had to minimize the humorous aspects in a *Resident Evil* project. The beloved video game series is known for its eccentric and occasionally silly dialogue, often brimming with unforgettable one-liners from characters such as Leon Kennedy. Many fans viewed Cregger as an ideal candidate to infuse this playful spirit into the film.
Regardless, Cregger is confident that the modifications have improved the film’s overall quality. His recent achievements in the horror genre lend weight to his decisions, inspiring optimism among fans regarding the final product.
As the release date nears, it will be fascinating to observe how the finished version compares with the leaked script that surfaced earlier in March. Fans are keen to find out which jokes were cut and how the film ultimately balances horror and humor.
