More information about the Resident Evil movie reboot has been revealed including its origin story, characters, and cast, with many of the franchise’s regulars making an appearance.
Last year, a new Resident Evil movie was announced to be in development. However, rather than Paul W.S. Anderson directing, Johannes Roberts of 47 Meters Down is taking the wheel. The movie has been confirmed to be a reboot and origin story which seems like it will be closer to the resource material compared to Anderson’s films.
Fans are likely to be more welcoming to a more loyal adaptation but it doesn’t seem like this new Resident Evil movie reboot will be a straightforward adaptation to the first game and rather just tied to the franchise’s lore. With this in mind, the movie is set to feature several popular characters from across the franchise.
Kaya Scodelario (Maze Runner) = Claire
Hannah John-Kamen (Ant-Man and the Wasp) = Jill
Robbie Amell (Upload) = Chris
Tom Hopper (The Umbrella Academy) = Wesker
Avan Jogia (Zombieland: Double Tap) = Leon
Neal McDonough (Yellowstone) = William Birkin pic.twitter.com/5REfawDLcE
— Nibel (@Nibellion) October 6, 2020
In fact, the movie’s cast has been revealed, not only confirming who fans wanted to see on the silver screen but also the actors/actresses playing the role. The list contains the franchise’s veterans Chris and Clair Redfield, Leon S. Kennedy, Jill Valentine as well as villains William Birkin and Albert Wesker.
- Chris Redfield – Robbie Amell (Upload, The Flash)
- Claire Redfield – Kaya Scodelario (The Maze Runner, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales)
- Jill Valentine – Hannah John-Kamen (Ant-Man and the Wasp, Game of Thrones)
- Leon S. Kennedy – Avan Jogia (Zombieland: Double Tap, Now Apocalypse)
- Albert Wesker – Tom Hopper (The Umbrella Academy, Black Sails)
- William Birkin – Neal McDonough (Yellowstone, Altered Carbon)
While the above-mentioned protagonists have crossed paths in previous Resident Evil games such as Claire and Leon being playable characters in Resident Evil 2, this would be the first time all four protagonists appear together, considering this is what will happen in the movie.
New Resident Evil movie announced, "an official origin story adaptation with faithful ties to Capcom’s classic survival horror games"
Set in 1998 in Raccoon City, directed by Johannes Roberts (47 Meters Down)https://t.co/QlieHWV5pr pic.twitter.com/hmAH14cQjB
— Nibel (@Nibellion) October 6, 2020
Unfortunately, story details are still unrevealed. All that is confirmed is that the story will take place in 1998 in Raccoon City. The year and location suggest that the film will be happening at the same time as the first three games but it is highly unlikely that the movie will try to adapt all three games in the time of one movie.
It is also difficult to compose a movie that could easily fit within the franchise’s canon and feature all of the heroes working together. Nonetheless, Capcom is indeed going all-in on bringing the franchise to both film and television.
Just a few months ago, Netflix revealed details of its Resident Evil TV series which won’t be related to the games and will rather have an original story focused on Wesker’s daughters. Just a month later, a standalone animated TV series called Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness was revealed featuring the return of franchise favorites Claire and Leon which is scheduled to release in 2021.