The Resident Evil series’ first reboot movie officially has a title–Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. If you’re a fan of the original few games and were hoping to see some of your favorites like Leon and Chris instead of wholly original characters, it looks like you’re in luck.
The film’s title was shared with IGN during a SXSW online interview, and director Johannes Roberts will be including elements and characters from the first two games. These include some famous locations like the police station and the mansion in Raccoon City, but it’s not clear how the two-month time difference between the two games will factor in. Another game, Resident Evil 3, takes place concurrently with the second one, but from Jill Valentine’s perspective.
Kaya Scodelario, perhaps best known from her work in the fifth Pirates of the Caribbean film, will play Claire Redfield, while her brother Chris will be played by Robbie Amell. Veteran character actor Neal McDonough (Band of Brothers, Angels and the Outfield) will play scientist William Birkin, while big bad Wesker will be Tom Hopper of The Umbrella Academy fame. It seems he just can’t escape Umbrella.
Based on Roberts’ previous comments, it looks like Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City will not be as bombastic and explosion-heavy as the previous films. He is looking to tell a “grounded” story and given that the series didn’t head into action territory until after the first few games, that seems to fit the source material.
Along with the new live-action film, there is also a live-action series in the works at Netflix following the Wesker family as well as an animated series with Leon and Claire. Combine that with Resident Evil Village releasing in less than two months, and it’s a great time to be a Resident Evil fan.
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City is scheduled hit theaters on September 3.
GameSpot may get a commission from retail offers.
