Zach Cregger says test audiences convinced him to cut most of Resident Evil's jokes

Zach Cregger, known for his comedic sketch work, has transitioned to horror directing with his upcoming film Resident Evil. Despite his comedic background, test audiences advised him to reduce the humor in the movie, leading him to cut most of the jokes. Cregger explained that while the test audiences enjoyed the film, they felt it was too funny.

As a result, he removed as much comedy as possible and discovered that both the audience and he enjoyed the movie more without the jokes. Cregger emphasized that a little bit of humor goes a long way in a horror movie. Regarding the film's deviation from the Resident Evil video game franchise, Cregger acknowledged that fans who expected direct adaptations of game characters might not be pleased.

He acknowledged that if fans loved the games for its characters, they might feel disappointed. However, he explained that he was inspired by the games' visual language and incorporated it into the film, blending different perspectives throughout the movie. Resident Evil is set to release in theaters on September 18.