The upcoming Resident Evil film appears poised to surpass the previous Milla Jovovich-led series, potentially delivering the faithful adaptation that fans have long awaited. While the earlier film iterations may not have garnered critical acclaim, they stand as the most commercially successful video game adaptations to date. Although enjoyable in their own right, the movies often strayed from Capcom’s original narratives in favor of unique storylines centered around Jovovich’s character.
Notably, Jovovich’s iconic character, Alice, never existed in the Resident Evil video games. Her six-film saga amassed an impressive $1.2 billion globally. However, subsequent attempts to revive the franchise had mixed outcomes. Netflix’s recent series was abruptly canceled after just one season, and the film reboot, Welcome to Raccoon City, aimed for authenticity but fell short at the box office. Now, with Zach Cregger—known for his work on Barbarian—set to write and direct this new reboot, excitement is brewing as actors Austin Abrams and Mikey Madison are reportedly connected to leading roles.
A New Vision for Resident Evil
Capturing the Essence of the Games
During a presentation at CinemaCon, which Screen Rant attended, Cregger shared his ambitious vision for the new Resident Evil film. He emphasized that it would be “… unlike any of the previous films.” His goal is to capture the unique tone and atmosphere characteristic of the early games, particularly the tension players feel when resources are limited and fear lurks around every corner.
“There’s a moment that comes in every moment of every Resident Evil game where you find yourself standing in the mouth of a dark passageway. One shot in the gun is left. You know that something horrible is waiting for you in that darkness, that awful moment where you have to will yourself. That’s something that every Resident Evil game has perfected and has kept me and millions of other players returning to the series for decades.”
If Cregger aims to win over the fanbase, he is certainly on the right track. While the Milla Jovovich films provided thrilling moments, they often lacked genuine horror, and Cregger seems intent on rectifying this. His vision hints at a deeper, more spine-chilling experience for the forthcoming film.
Though details about the plot and returning characters remain under wraps, Cregger revealed in an interview with the YouTube channel wkukVODS that he had not watched any of the previous Jovovich films and favors Resident Evil 2, 4, and 7 from the game series.
A Streamlined Approach to Storytelling
A New Direction for Character Development
Having exhibited a talent for suspense-building in Barbarian, Cregger appears to be a fitting choice for a project like Resident Evil. Reports suggest the new film will adopt more of a survival thriller format, with Cregger noting it will follow “one central protagonist from point A to point B as they descend into hell.”This indicates a more straightforward, engaging narrative that revolves around the protagonist’s desperate struggle for survival.
Originally attached to the project was legendary horror director George A. Romero, who exited due to creative differences. This historical note echoes the franchise’s roots, which featured simple storylines conveyed primarily through text found within the games. In contrast, the Jovovich films became increasingly convoluted, featuring numerous plot twists, clones, and retcons that often left viewers bewildered. Cregger’s focus on a horror-driven, game-inspired narrative could provide the fresh perspective the franchise urgently needs.
Source: CinemaCon, wkukVODS