Surprisingly, and despite most film productions shutting down because of coronavirus concerns, Resident Evil has completed principal photography. Sony Pictures announced on their Twitter page that the reboot wrapped not long ago. That doesn't mean the movie will be hitting the big screen anytime soon, but a late Summer release sounds feasible, so as long as theater chains reopen before then. If not, then Fall 2021 is the next best bet.
Release dates aside, Johannes Roberts' take on the zombie thriller is bringing to life a more loyal adaptation of Capcom's uber-popular videogame. The reboot is utilizing characters and plotlines which every fan wants to see onscreen. Some of them made their live-action debut in the series directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, though not all were well-received. Chris Redfield (Wentworth Miller), for instance, only appeared in one installment. Had he been as popular as his videogame counterpart, we would've seen Miller return for at least one more entry. Redfield is an integral character to the story, after all.
The good news is that Chris Redfield is definitely more prominent this time around. Played by Robbie Amell, he'll be tackling the T-Virus outbreak in Raccoon City alongside his fellow Resident Evil alums, evidenced by set photos posted online.
Origins Of Raccoon City
The images in question show the Raccoon City Police Department headquarters surrounded by undead walking towards it. Others depict a dilapidated version, suggesting that we could see the outbreak itself and the subsequent aftermath, which left the city decimated. A decrepit entrance to Raccoon City lends further credence to these claims.
As far as other characters go, Claire Redfield (Kaya Scodelario), Wesker (Tom Hopper), Jill Valentine (Hannah John-Kamen), Leon Kennedy (Avan Jogia), and William Birkin (Neal McDonough) are all confirmed to be in the film.
What that tells us is the adventures of the original S.T.A.R.S police force fighting off undead waves will be the focus of the reboot, similar to how the first two games played out. The first didn't feature as many zombies as the second installment did, so audiences will likely witness more of the street action which Resident Evil 2 encompassed.
Keep in mind that Sony Pictures' wrapping announcement featured a callback to the original videogame. A small television with static on the screen is in the image, suggesting the Spencer Mansion's involvement at some point.
The other reason we can safely conclude Spencer Mansion as a setpiece in the Resident Evil reboot is both William Birkin and Albert Wesker are in the film. Their roles remain unknown, but if they're anything like their videogame counterparts, then we can count on them factoring into the T-Virus' production and the secret research facility hidden beneath the mansion.
The Mansion
Depending on how much of the Spencer estate is in it, audiences may also see Tyrant make his live-action debut. The first film should've introduced the iconic monster, but Anderson decided to go with a Licker as the primary B.O.W. (Bio-Organic Weapon) instead. It sufficed in adding to the suspense brought on by the hordes trapping Alice (Jovovich) and her allies. Of course, some fans will argue the Tyrant's absence is why the film didn't appeal to them.
Fortunately, Roberts' take on the Capcom series seems to be as loyal of an adaptation as possible. The signs so far are pointing in that direction, and if the reboot is a mashup of the first two games, then there's a good chance we'll also witness the Tyrant join in on the fun.
For now, that's all the information available on the Resident Evil reboot. Fans should, however, keep checking Sony Pictures' social media pages in the coming months for further updates. The studio is gearing up to promote the film's release, and teasers will follow shortly after.