San Diego Comic-Con is where Hollywood's biggest names come to play, and this year's Directors on Directing panel was no exception. Moderated by Collider's Steven Weintraub, the session brought together three of the industry's most exciting filmmakers: Zach Cregger (Barbarian, Weapons) and the duo of Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley (Game Night, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves). The panel was packed with surprises, including a first look at the trailer for Mayday, the upcoming Apple TV+ action-comedy starring Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh, and exclusive peeks at their highly anticipated projects.
The conversation kicked off with a playful hypothetical: if forced to co-direct a movie together, what genre would they choose? Goldstein suggested a rom-com, with Cregger claiming the scares, Goldstein the emotional beats, and Daley the craft services. The quick-fire banter set the tone for a panel that balanced humor with genuine insight into their creative processes.
Zach Cregger on 'Resident Evil' and 'Weapons' Success
Cregger revealed that he was already in Prague filming his Resident Evil adaptation when Weapons became a massive hit. "I just wasn't around for the party," he admitted, describing the surreal experience of watching the film's success from a distance while dealing with the daily emergencies of production. By the time he returned to the U.S., the buzz had faded, leaving him to wonder if it had all been a dream.
On the Gladys prequel, Cregger expressed excitement about exploring the backstory of Amy Madigan's mysterious character from Weapons. "There's an amazing story to be told about where Gladys comes from," he said, promising twists and turns similar to the original. The script is currently in progress, but his next project will be a sci-fi film called Flood, which he wrote alongside Weapons and Resident Evil during a burst of creativity after Barbarian.
Goldstein and Daley Tease 'Star Trek' and 'Mayday'
Goldstein and Daley offered tantalizing hints about their upcoming Star Trek movie, which they are writing and directing. "It won't be the characters you've seen previously," Goldstein teased, adding that the story will be "a little further into the future than we've been before." The duo emphasized their love for putting a fresh spin on familiar franchises, a philosophy that also drives Mayday, their new action-comedy for Apple TV+.
The panel also featured surprise questions from fellow filmmakers like David Leitch, Phil Lord, Chris Miller, and actors Jason Statham and Josh Brolin, adding an extra layer of star power. The event concluded with a jaw-dropping moment: Johnny Depp appeared in full Ebenezer Scrooge costume to debut the trailer for his A Christmas Carol adaptation, Ebenezer.
For fans of Cregger's work, the Resident Evil trailer shown at the panel offered a glimpse of his take on the beloved video game franchise, featuring Austin Abrams in Raccoon City. The director discussed the challenge of adapting such iconic source material, noting that he aimed to honor the games while delivering something fresh for audiences.
As the panel wrapped, the directors shared lessons learned from their careers, from the importance of collaboration to the value of staying true to their visions. With Mayday, Star Trek, Resident Evil, and Flood all on the horizon, these filmmakers are proving that the future of cinema is in very capable hands.
