Director Zach Cregger Reveals Austin Abrams’ Near‑Fatal Stunt on the New Resident Evil Set

Just weeks before the latest Resident Evil installment hits theaters, its behind‑the‑scenes drama has stolen the spotlight. Director Zach Cregger opened up about a harrowing moment on set that could have ended in tragedy for newcomer Austin Abrams.

Abrams, who portrays the frantic medical courier Bryan, was sprinting down a rooftop when a 150‑pound, body‑sized blood bag – rigged to crash from a crane – plummeted toward him. The prop, meant to simulate zombie‑laden bodies raining down during a fictional outbreak, missed him by a hair’s breadth.

“We wanted the chaos to feel raw, so we choreographed the whole thing instead of leaning on VFX,” Cregger told SlashFilm. “If we’d used CGI, it would’ve looked… well, exactly like CGI.” The director explained that the entire sequence was rehearsed down to the last footstep, yet even the most meticulous planning couldn’t eliminate the danger entirely.

Recalling the incident, Cregger said he was left “pretty stunned.” A single step to the right, he warned, “and he would’ve been dead.” The actor’s heart‑racing escape has since become a talking point among fans, especially after the clip made a brief appearance in the movie’s trailer.

While the stunt proved the merits of practical effects – gritty, tactile, and undeniably risky – it also serves as a reminder of the fine line crews walk between spectacle and safety. Abrams, thankfully unharmed, now has a story that rivals the fictional horrors his character faces.

As the release date approaches, audiences can look forward to the film’s adrenaline‑pumping action, knowing that at least one of its thrills was earned the hard way.