Why Resident Evil Star Zach Cherry Avoided the Franchise for Years

Joining a major blockbuster franchise usually implies a lifelong fandom, but Resident Evil star Zach Cherry had a drastically different approach to his latest role. Despite the new film becoming the biggest opening in the franchise’s history, Cherry recently admitted that he had never touched a single Resident Evil movie or video game prior to being cast, primarily because the series was simply too terrifying for him.

Why Zach Cherry Avoided the Resident Evil Franchise

In a recent interview, the actor was candid about his history—or lack thereof—with the survival horror juggernaut. When asked about his familiarity with the previous six films starring Milla Jovovich, Cherry didn’t mince words: "Zero. I’m a scaredy-cat. I had not watched any of them."

This hesitation extended beyond the cinema screen. When questioned about his experience with the legendary video game series that birthed the phenomenon, his answer remained the same. "No, they were too scary for me. They were," he confessed. For a genre built on tension and jump scares, it is ironic that one of its latest stars is someone who actively avoided the subject matter to keep his nerves intact.

The Directorial Factor: Why He Joined the Cast

If he was so afraid of the franchise, why did he sign on for the reboot? The answer lies in professional loyalty and creative admiration. Cherry clarified that his decision to join the project had nothing to do with the source material and everything to do with the visionary behind the lens.

• Director-Driven Choice: Cherry stated he is a massive fan of the director’s previous work.
• Creative Trust: He expressed that he was "really excited to do anything that he was doing," regardless of the horror elements involved.
• Script Confidence: Having read the screenplay, Cherry felt more prepared to handle the intensity of the production compared to being a spectator.

Overcoming the Fear Factor

While he may have been a stranger to the Resident Evil universe before filming, Cherry noted that his personal relationship with horror cinema has changed recently. He revealed that in the last three years, he has started dipping his toes into the horror genre, which helped him transition into the role.

"I think I’ll be okay, especially because I have read the script. So that will help," he noted during his discussion about attending the film’s premiere. It is a testament to the power of a strong script and a director’s vision that even a self-described "scaredy-cat" can step into the shoes of a character in one of the most intense horror franchises in gaming history.

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