New "Resident Evil" Film in Development
Zach Cregger is to take over as director
This series simply cannot be put to rest: The "Resident Evil" franchise meanwhile comprises seven live-action adaptations, several animated films and a Netflix series. Although the last film adaptation, "Welcome to Raccoon City", was not a huge success, Sony is still giving it another go, as a new "Resident Evil" film is currently in development.
According to the well-known insider The InSneider, there are reports that the director of the acclaimed horror film "Barbarian", Zach Cregger, is to take on the new project. According to initial information, filming is set to begin as early as next year. As for the cast, there is no information yet, except that they are looking for a black male actor in his 20s.
However, the main question remains: can a new creative mind turn things around for the "Resident Evil" film adaptations? All previous projects have failed to satisfy both the games' loyal fan base and the mainstream audience. The films by director Paul W.S. Anderson focused primarily on action and effects, while the atmosphere of the games was neglected. The reboot "Welcome to Raccoon City" aimed to do things differently, but still wasn't able to win over fans. We are eager to see what approach the new "Resident Evil" movie will take. But the choice of the director certainly sounds promising.
The "Resident Evil" Films at a Glance
The Milla Jovovich Era (2002-2016)
The best-known series of "Resident Evil" film adaptations comprises six films released between 2002 and 2016. Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and starring Milla Jovovich as Alice, a character created specifically for the films, the series became the longest-running video game adaptation in film history.
Resident Evil (2002) : The first film laid the foundation for the cinematic "Resident Evil" universe and told the story of Alice fighting mutated creatures and zombies in a secret Umbrella Corporation laboratory. Despite deviations from the original game, the movie was commercially successful.
Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004) : The second movie introduced characters from the games, including Jill Valentine and Nemesis, and moved the action to Raccoon City, a central setting of the games. The film was praised by fans for its action-oriented approach and closer proximity to the video games.
Resident Evil: Extinction (2007) : Set in a post-apocalyptic world, Alice battles zombies and the Umbrella Corporation in the Nevada desert. The film moved the action away from urban locations and gave the franchise a dark, bleak atmosphere.
Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010) : Here Anderson introduced the 3D trend to the series and focused even more on action, introducing some iconic enemies from the games, such as the Axe Man. The movie was successful at the box office, but the reviews were rather negative.
Resident Evil: Retribution (2012) : This movie was the fifth in the series and brought back many characters from previous movies. However, the plot was considered overcomplicated by critics.
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (2016) : The final installment of the Jovovich era was supposed to bring the franchise to a close. Alice returns to Raccoon City to lead the final battle against Umbrella. The reviews were once again mixed, but the film was a huge success at the box office, with box office takings of 300 million dollars.
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021)
After the end of the Jovovich era, Constantin Film attempted to revive the series, this time with an approach more closely based on the games."Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City" was released as a reboot and was intended to be a more faithful adaptation of the original story from the games. Director Johannes Roberts opted for a darker and more gruesome atmosphere than the action-packed predecessors.
The film focuses on the events of "Resident Evil 1" and "Resident Evil 2" and brings well-known characters such as Chris and Claire Redfield, Jill Valentine and Leon S. Kennedy to the screen. Despite its proximity to the original games, the film was received negatively by critics, who criticized both the quality of the effects and the plot.
Resident Evil: Netflix Series (2022)
In 2022, Netflix made another attempt to transfer the franchise into the world of series. The new series told a story that jumped between different time periods and focused on the Wesker family. Lance Reddick played Albert Wesker, one of the series' most iconic villains.
However, the series was harshly criticized by fans and critics alike, too. It strayed too far from the established game characters and focused on a new storyline that was perceived as incoherent and not well thought out. Due to the overwhelmingly negative response, Netflix canceled the series after just one season.