Full Breakdown
Austin Abrams Survives Near-Fatal Stunt on “Resident Evil” Set
7/25/2026, 8:38:23 PM
Near-Death Accident During Filming
While shooting the upcoming “Resident Evil” film, 29-year-old actor Austin Abrams was nearly killed when a 150-pound “body-sized blood bag” dropped from a crane and almost struck his head. Director Zach Cregger said the stunt was part of a sequence in which Abrams’ character, Bryan, a medical courier, runs through a street besieged by zombies. The incident occurred during a take that required Abrams to sprint past exploding props, and Cregger warned that a single step to the right could have been fatal.
Practical Effects Over CGI
Cregger explained that he deliberately avoided computer-generated imagery for the action-heavy scene, opting instead for choreography, staged explosions, and real-world props. He described the process as a search for authenticity: “So, I was like, ‘How do we do this where all these explosions are real?’” The director’s team rigged large blood bags to simulate gore, dropping them from overhead rigs to create the visceral impact seen in the film’s trailer.
Official Statements & Responses
In a Q&A on July 23, Cregger recounted the near-miss, emphasizing the crew’s commitment to practical effects and the collaborative effort required to bring the vision to life. He later reflected on the challenges, noting that despite the hazards the production “came together” and reminded him why he loves filmmaking. Cregger expressed pride in the final product and said the experience helped him grow as a filmmaker.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s in the trailer momentarily, but [Austin is] running down the street, and there’s zombies on the roof of the buildings on either side, and they’re all leaping at him,” — Zach Cregger, according to director
- “So, I was like, ‘How do we do this where all these explosions are real?’” — Zach Cregger, according to director
The film, based on the long-running video-game franchise, is slated to open in theaters on September 18.
