Back in 1996, Resident Evil kick-started a new era of gaming, bringing the survival horror genre into the spotlight. Since then, Resident Evil has been one of the most influential horror franchises in the industry, and the first Resident Evil still holds a special place in a lot of longtime fans' hearts. The first chapter has already been remade once, back in 2002, but many fans have been wishing for a modern retelling of the story.
The remakes of RE2 and RE3 have only increased the demand for a fresh RE1 remake. Franchise superstars Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield led the first story, which introduced players to the game's fascinating lore, and it would be thrilling to see them back in action with a fresh coat of paint. This idea of revisiting RE1 might not be a mere pipe dream, and a potential hint from Nicole Tompkins, the voice actor for Jill in the RE3 remake, may point to a forthcoming remake.
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One of the biggest mysteries surrounding the next Resident Evil game is its lead, and one option presents an exciting opportunity.
2026 Could Be the Perfect Year for a Resident Evil Remake
Nicole Tompkins May Have Recently Teased a Return as Jill Valentine
A Reddit user known as 1ceC0n recently met Nicole Tompkins, the voice actor behind Jill Valentine, at a convention. When he asked her if she would be reprising her role as Jill in an RE1 remake, he claims Tompkins winked in response. Of course, this is far from an official confirmation, but it's still worth noting. If Capcom were to remake RE1 again, it seems very likely that Tompkins would be recast as Jill, and her wink is not the only reason to think that a new version of the game could be on the horizon.
In May of last year, notable industry insider DanielRPK claimed that Capcom was currently developing an RE1 remake. However, this claim should be taken with a grain of salt.
Resident Evil's 30th Anniversary
- Resident Evil will officially turn 30-years-old on March 22, 2026.
It's hard to believe that RE1's 30th anniversary is less than one year away, and this milestone means that 2026 could be the perfect opportunity for a remake to show itself. Recently, all eyes have been on RE9, as many fans are eagerly awaiting the first look at the next chapter in the franchise. However, it's possible that a remake of RE1 could arrive first as an appetizer.
It would be shocking if Capcom let such an important milestone come and go without any type of celebration, and an RE1 remake would be the perfect way to mark the occasion. The legacy of Resident Evil is an impressive one, and getting to see the chapter that started it all in a brand-new light would be really meaningful for a lot of fans who have been there since the beginning.
It would be shocking if Capcom let such an important milestone come and go without any type of celebration.
Resident Evil Has Kept Silent for a While Now
- The last mainline game in the franchise, RE Village, was released back in 2021.
- A remake of RE4 launched in 2023 to great success.
Thankfully, RE4 has been able to keep fans busy in between mainline entries, but the release of a new RE1 remake could make the wait for RE9 feel less lengthy. It's also possible that 2026 could give fans an exciting one-two punch with both an RE1 remake and RE9 releasing in the same year.
RE7 director Koshi Nakanishi is returning to direct RE9.
Until Capcom makes something official, though, the direction of the Resident Evil franchise remains a big mystery. As the year continues, it will be intriguing to see if an RE1 remake actually comes to fruition, but right now, it's simply a wish.
- Released
- March 22, 1996
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Publisher(s)
- Capcom
- Franchise
- Resident Evil
- Number of Players
- 1
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
