A Dangerous Close Call on Set
Actor Austin Abrams experienced the dangerous reality of practical effects while filming the upcoming horror feature Resident Evil. According to director Zach Cregger, the 29-year-old actor nearly lost his life during the production of an intense, action-packed sequence.
The Ambition Behind the Practical Stunt
The scene in question features Abrams' character, a medical courier named Bryan, desperately fleeing through a city overrun by a zombie apocalypse. Cregger aimed to avoid reliance on computer-generated imagery (VFX) to ensure the scene felt visceral and authentic.
To achieve this, the production team utilized complex choreography and massive props. Cregger explained the logistics:
«We had to basically design this thing where he’s just running and bodies are just falling and detonating all around him. I knew I didn’t want to do it with VFX because I feel like it would just look like VFX. So, I was like, ‘How do we do this where all these explosions are real?’»
A Narrow Escape
To execute the director's vision, the crew dropped 150-pound “blood bags” from cranes as Abrams sprinted through the location. The danger became real when one of the heavy props missed the actor by mere inches. Reflecting on the terrifying moment, Cregger remarked:
«It would’ve killed him. If he had been one step to the right, he would’ve died. [The shot is] in the movie, so it’s worth it. I was pretty stunned.»
Reflecting on the Filmmaking Process
Despite the high risks and various obstacles encountered during production, Cregger expressed immense pride in the final product. He noted that the collaborative effort required to bring such complex scenes to life serves as a reminder of his passion for the craft. The director concluded that the intense experience fostered significant growth for him as a filmmaker.
Resident Evil is scheduled to arrive in theaters on Friday, September 18.