Zach Cregger's Resident Evil Script Leaks: Is "The Laughter Manor" a Horror-Comedy?

An alleged script for a new Resident Evil film has surfaced online. Based on summaries circulating, the adaptation appears to be a horror-comedy, potentially carrying the unofficial title "The Laughter Manor."

According to reports from Kotaku, the full script for Zach Cregger's Resident Evil film briefly appeared on the internet before being actively removed from various platforms. However, discussions and plot summaries of its content continue to spread across the web.

Those who managed to read the script report that the story is set in Raccoon City amidst a zombie apocalypse. The protagonist is Brian (Austin Abrams), a courier transporting donor organs. The plot sees him attempting to reach his pregnant wife as the city descends into chaos. Complicating matters, Brian himself is infected with the T-virus, literally racing against time to survive.

However, online debate isn't centered on the plot description, but rather its unexpected tone. The film reportedly features numerous comedic and absurd situations, reminiscent of a farcical horror experience.

Brian encounters various humorous and bizarre predicaments involving zombie dogs, zombie babies, and even an obese, acid-spitting zombie.

Some fans believe this comedic approach deviates too far from the dark and serious atmosphere of Capcom's games and poorly connects with their established events. This sentiment persists even though the plot description confirms Cregger's earlier statements that the film's events unfold roughly concurrently with Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3. For many, it created the impression that the script was originally an independent story later shoehorned into the Resident Evil universe.

A similar situation, where an original concept was adapted into an existing franchise, has previously occurred with Cregger's films "Barbarian" and "Weapons." However, it remains unknown how closely the leaked text aligns with the final version of the movie. Early script drafts often differ significantly from what ultimately makes it to the screen.

The premiere of the new Resident Evil film is currently scheduled for September 18th.