The renewed attention also comes ahead of Resident Evil's Sep 18, 2026, theatrical release. Speaking to IGN at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, director Zach Cregger stated that the film is not a direct adaptation of the games and will not feature established protagonists such as Ada Wong, Leon S. Kennedy, or Claire Redfield. Instead, it follows an original story designed to capture the feeling of playing a Resident Evil game. "I am not trying to adapt a video game," Cregger noted, adding that he wanted to create "a love letter to the experience of playing a Resident Evil game." The viral comparisons underscore how gaming's most recognizable characters continue to shape online pop culture conversations far beyond their original medium.