Director Zach Cregger revealed a chilling incident during the panel for the upcoming Resident Evil movie at San Diego Comic-Con. Lead actor Austin Abrams, who plays medical courier Bryan, came within inches of death while filming a key scene. Cregger explained that to achieve a realistic effect without CGI, the production created 150-pound body-sized blood bags dropped from cranes. During one take, a bag missed Abrams by a whisker. "If he had taken one step to the right, he would have died," the director said, adding that the shot made the final cut because "it was totally worth it."
The dangerous scene with zombies leaping from rooftops
The sequence shows the protagonist running through a street while zombies jump from buildings. Cregger insisted on shooting practically, using real blood bags to simulate falling bodies. One bag veered off course, narrowly missing Abrams. The actor, unaware of the danger, continued the scene. Only after the take did the crew realize how close they came to tragedy. "It was terrifying," Cregger admitted, "but the result is extraordinary."
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A Lord of the Rings parallel for the film's tone
Cregger compared the story of Resident Evil to The Lord of the Rings. "Bryan is an everyman burdened with a sacred mission that takes him into the heart of horror. It's like Frodo going into Mordor," he said. The movie is set for release on September 18, 2026. The reboot promises to be faithful to the video games, with a dark, action-packed tone.
Set safety after past tragedies
The Resident Evil franchise has a history of on-set accidents: during Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, a crew member was killed by a car. Cregger wanted practical effects to honor the franchise's essence, but the incident reignites debate about safety. Similar to the Meccha Chameleon malware case, the line between realism and danger is thin. For more on the film series' production, see the Wikipedia page.
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Artisanal filmmaking that risked a life
Despite the danger, Cregger praised the teamwork. "That's what makes movies great: having an amazing idea and having people help you realize it and immortalize it on screen." The nearly fatal scene is now in the film, and the director considers it one of the best. Fans eagerly await the release, while production has vowed to review safety protocols. As in the tech world, margins for error in film can have dramatic consequences.
