1996 Resident Evil Game Cast Reunite For Live-Action Movie
"That was too close...You were almost a Jill Sandwich." Capcom's Resident Evil games have always been hammy, and even while last year's Resident Evil Village stuck with the gritty aesthetic of its predecessor, that doesn't mean Lady Dimitrescu doesn't belt out some campy one-liners.
Still, when you think of camp classics, it's 1996 original Resident Evil that will come to mind. As well as kickstarting the whole shuffling series, the OG sticks out for a number of reasons - notably its live-action opening that had more ham than your average hog roast. Well, now Chris and co. are back.
What Is The Live-Action Resident Evil Movie?
The seemingly bizarre choice to have a live-action opening came at the request of Game Director Shinji Mikami. Introducing us to S.T.A.R.S (Special Tactics and Rescue Service) team, it was the first time we met Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, Barry Burton, Rebecca Chambers, and Albert Wesker as they went to investigate the Spencer Mansion, it was an imaginative way to open the game.
Now, the actors who played Chris, Barry, and Wesker have reunited to promote a Resident Evil fan film from Residence of Evil. Charles Kraslavsky, Greg Smith, and Eric Pirius are back for Resident Evil: Resurrection. Here, Barry and Chris discuss being "too old" for all of this, before they're thrown back into the action. There's then an atmospheric shot of Wesker in his signature sunglasses, followed by a tense showdown between him and Chris.
Earlier this year, the original actors sat with Director Andrew Suallo about everything that went into making the live-action opening some 26 years ago and why they're returning to their iconic roles. Kraslavsky previously returned (in a brand-new capacity) for Suallo's The Keeper: A Biohazard Story - playing a doomed Umbrella employee who discards a journal that is found by Jill Valentine. As for what's next, the team wants to create a "more in-depth short film with higher production value."
Can You Watch The Live-Action Resident Evil Movie?
The story of the iconic opening gets even stranger. Although some of the actors were established voice actors, others were simply in Japan at the time. The woman who played Jill was simply a highschooler known as Inzeh, and has become something of a mystery in the years since. Hopefully, the team behind Resident Evil: Ressurection can lure her back for the project.
Sadly, Resident Evil is pretty cursed in live-action. Although Paul W.S. Anderson's live-action movie series made a fortune with Milla Jovovich as its lead, the six-movie saga was hardly Oscar-worthy. There was then the disappointing Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City and the fact Netflix's live-action series was cancelled after just one season. You can keep up with all the Resident Evil: Resurrection progress over on Patreon.