The next film “Resident Evil”, directed by Johannes Roberts, now has a name: “Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City”.
Roberts revealed the title and plot details of the film during a panel with IGN’s Lucy O’Brien on SXSW on Saturday. Talking about the genesis of the title, Roberts – who directed both films “47 Meters Down” – said that the Raccoon City scene plays a big role in the film.
“The film is a source story for ‘Resident Evil’,” said Roberts. “It’s an ensemble piece, and Raccoon City plays a big role and is a character in the film. It is about a group of people coming from different angles – some coming to the city, some having already grown up in this city – meeting on this fateful night. “
The film will follow Claire and Chris Redfield’s original “Resident Evil” characters, Jill Valentine and Leon S. Kennedy, and show the horror aspect of video games, Roberts said. Roberts sought inspiration in John Carpenter films, such as “The Fog”, as well as in the original video games.
“The big thing for me in this film is the tone. What I loved about the games is that they were just scary, and that’s the atmosphere, ”said Roberts. “It is raining constantly, it is dark, it is scary … and then mixed with the more fun side, especially with the first game, of what is to come, that kind of narrative style.”
Although Roberts said he is a fan of the original film franchise “Resident Evil”, his film “has nothing to do with it”.
“It’s a totally separate story, very much based on the roots of the game and the world of terror,” said Roberts. “It’s not like I’ve presented something we’re redoing. They weren’t. I fell in love with Milla Jovovich in the first films, I love this side of the world of ‘Resident Evil’. But it was a real pleasure to give the reins to a new franchise, I hope this is really yours. I had never seen the horror and atmosphere of the games – what I felt when I was playing these games … I never felt it on the screen and I felt it was something I wanted to tell. “
In particular, Roberts said that the 2019 remake of the second video game “Resident Evil” pointed him in the right direction with regard to its environment and tone.
“[That] it was probably the entry point into the film for me, ”said Roberts. “That game came out and it just blew me away, and from that moment on I think we all knew where we were going with this film, because it was a wonderful cinematic experience with the tone, the constant dark rain, that kind of aspect of the game. And I just took that and thought, ‘This is the world that I want to work in.’ “
“Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City” is scheduled for release by Sony Pictures on September 3. The film stars Kaya Scodelario, Robbie Amell, Hannah John-Kamen, Avan Jogia, Tom Hopper, Lily Gao, Neal McDonough and Donal Logue. It is produced by Screen Gems, Constantin Film, The Fyzz Facility and The Tea Shop and Film Company.
Watch the full panel below.