Introduction
When a franchise installment is universally panned, most creators quickly distance themselves from it. Yet for the upcoming Resident Evil reboot film, director Zach Cregger and production designer Tom Hammock did the opposite. They dove headfirst into Resident Evil 6—the series’ least-liked game—and discovered hidden gems worth reviving. Their approach proves that even unpopular sources can yield powerful creative material when you know how to extract and recontextualize what works. This guide breaks down their process into actionable steps, so you can apply the same thinking to your own project: whether you’re rebooting a franchise, designing creatures, or just looking for inspiration in overlooked places.
What You Need
- Access to the source material (game files, lore, concept art, or any media you want to mine)
- A critical eye to separate strong core ideas from flawed execution
- Reference materials from a fan-favorite entry (to balance unpopular elements with proven appeal)
- Concept artists or designers who can translate vague ideas into visual language
- A clear creative brief that defines the themes and tone you’re aiming for
- Time for iterative development—good design rarely emerges in one pass
Step-by-Step Process
- Revisit the “failed” entry with fresh eyes
Start by immersing yourself in the game or piece that was poorly received. Cregger and Hammock went back to Resident Evil 6 not to curse it, but to look for what its critics may have missed. Dismissal is easy; discovery requires patience. Play through with a notepad, jotting down any visual, mechanical, or narrative element that feels intriguing, even if the overall package disappoints. - Isolate specific creature elements
From RE6, the team zeroed in on creature design details: tentacles, teeth integration, and the way body parts merged with organic and inorganic materials. These aren’t broad strokes—they’re precise, tactile features. Create a shortlist of such specific elements from your source. Focus on physical traits, textures, or behaviors that could be extracted and reused. - Pair with a proven favorite
To ground their work, the duo also pulled from Resident Evil 4—a beloved entry known for its horror atmosphere and iconic enemy designs. This step ensures that whatever you salvage from the unpopular source is amplified by a touchstone of quality. The contrast (and combination) prevents your project from feeling like a copy of the failed version. - Develop a unified visual language
Once you have your isolated elements (tentacles, teeth) and your touchstone (RE4’s aesthetic), it’s time to synthesize. Hammock described taking the “language” of those creature parts—how they curve, sprout, and contain organic matter—and transferring it to the new creatures. This means creating rules: all mutant growths will have a certain texture; teeth will be arranged in spiral patterns; tentacles will emerge from specific joints. Write down these rules and share them with your team. - Design new creatures using that language
Finally, apply your unified visual language to fresh creature designs. Every tooth, tentacle, or mutation should feel like it belongs to the same family, even if the original inspiration came from two different games. Cregger and Hammock made sure that the creatures in the film nod to RE6 and RE4 without being copies. Iterate on paper, in 3D, or through concept art until the designs feel cohesive.
Tips for Success
- Don't ignore the negative feedback—use it to know what to avoid. RE6 was criticized for action-over-horror, so the film likely emphasizes horror. Learn from mistakes without discarding the whole.
- Keep a “reference bank” of screenshots, clips, and sketches from both the unpopular and popular sources. Refer back often to maintain consistency.
- Test your designs on fans who disliked the original—if they see potential in your new take, you’re on the right track.
- Document your creative choices so that everyone on the team understands why a certain tooth pattern or tentacle form matters. This builds buy-in and prevents drift.
- Be open to abandoning elements even if they come from your “gold mine.” If a creature feature doesn’t fit the new context, cut it. The goal isn't to replicate, but to transform.