Summary
- Movie adaptations of video games often struggle to succeed due to differences in mediums.
- Reviving and staying true to source material can enhance live-action Resident Evil movies.
- Characters like Sheva Alomar, Ethan Winters, and Sherry Birkin all have potential for film adaptations.
Movie adaptations of video games are nothing new, dating back to the early 90s with the attempt at a Super Mario Bros movie. It is rare they are successful, as games aren't always suited for migration to a different medium. Sadly, the Resident Evil movies have mostly been proof of this, with their live action movies proving polarizing.
There is a confirmed revival of the live-action movies that promise to be more faithful to the source material, which might be the secret to making a solid RE live-action film. Since the filmmakers seem to be making use of existing plotlines, chances are existing characters will be making their return, including some popular protagonists from across the games.
Every Resident Evil Movie, Ranked
Resident Evil is one of the most successful video game to movie adaptations ever, spawning an entire series. Using IMDb ratings, we find the best one.
8 Sheva Alomar (Resident Evil 5)
A Forgotten but Fantastic Character
Resident Evil 5
- Released
- March 5, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
Resident Evil 5 proved a divisive game among fans, as it drifted even further from horror than its predecessor. Chris traveled to Africa to team up with a new partner, Sheva Alomar, and take a man named Irving into custody, as he is suspected of having possession of BOWs. Of course, nothing is quite so simple, and the duo find themselves fighting their way through hordes of infected townspeople.
Sheva proved to be a fantastic companion for Chris, and instantly became popular among fans. She formed a bond with Chris during their time together, embodying strength and bravery, even though her AI could be frustrating at times. It is unlikely RE5 is the game that the movie team is looking to adapt, but this doesn't mean that Sheva can't make an appearance at all. She is owed a return to the series, and this movie could provide that.
7 Ethan Winters
The Winters' Story is Ripe for a True Horror Experience
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
- Released
- January 24, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror, Psychological Horror, First-Person
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
After RE5 and RE6 railroaded what fans have come to know and love about the series with some bold action-focused titles, Resident Evil 7 took a leaf from Revelations' pages by returning the game to horror, opting for a first-person camera and introducing Ethan. The Winters' storyline was spread over two games and a subsequent DLC, the last of which starred Ethan's daughter Rosemary.
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Ethan was a different protagonist from the rest. He was an ordinary man rather than being a member of the RPD or S.T.A.R.S., and had no clue of what he was in for when he traveled to Louisiana. This made Ethan's experiences all the scarier. He was just as out of his depth as the players were, but both had to rise to the challenge if they had any hope of escape. His games, especially Biohazard, are some of the scariest in the series, so if filmmakers want a scary experience, his story should definitely be adapted.
6 Sherry Birkin
From Scared Child to Confident Agent
Resident Evil 2
- Released
- January 21, 1998
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Sherry debuted in the original Resident Evil 2. As the daughter of Annette and William, not only was she left abandoned, she was hunted down by William Birkin after he injected himself with the G-virus, as she was a suitable host for infection. Claire met her shortly before her first skirmish against him, and felt responsible for protecting her. In RE6, Sherry was all grown up, and had joined the fight against BOWs.
There is every possibility that the movie might be an adaptation of the Raccoon City incident covered in RE2 and 3, and if so, Sherry definitely needs to be included in the story. Though she wouldn't be the lead, she would nonetheless be an integral part of Claire's story.
5 Rebecca Chambers (Resident Evil 0)
Start with the Beginning of it All
Resident Evil 0
- Released
- November 12, 2002
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Intense Violence, Blood and Gore
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
One of the best ways to tackle the next live-action movie is by beginning at the start, with Resident Evil 0. Though not the first game released, it acts as a prequel to the first game, following the S.T.A.R.S. Bravo team and their experience in the Arklay Mountains, namely Rebecca Chambers.
The team medic finds herself onboard a train with escaped convict Billy Coen. Their partnership is a tenuous one to start with, but Rebecca soon learns to trust Billy more, as teamwork is essential. Headstrong, brave, and more stubborn than her timid appearance might suggest, Rebecca is one of the more underestimated characters in the series. She would make a wonderful addition, even if her game isn't used for the movie.
4 Claire Redfield
An Independent and Capable Protagonist
Claire is another legacy character from the Resident Evil franchise, showcasing incredible bravery from her first appearance in RE2, despite her being a young college student looking for her older brother Chris in Raccoon City. The legion of undead and other such creatures put a damper on her plans, but rather than running and shrieking in terror, Claire grabs some weapons and prepares to defend herself.
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It is this unexpected grit that makes her such a likable character, as few people in her situation would display the same amount of courage. Game after game, Claire defied any unfortunate stereotypes that might have been levied against her character, proving her determination and bravery. These are characteristics befitting of any main character in a zombie movie, and therefore make a great case for the appearance of the younger Redfield.
3 Leon S. Kennedy
A Popular Character Who Has Already Appeared in Numerous Movies
Resident Evil 4
- Released
- January 11, 2005
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Leon is one of the most popular and most-used RE characters, appearing in numerous games since his debut as a playable character in RE2. He went on to be the main character of Resident Evil 4, appeared in a series of CGI movies, and some of the live-action ones as well. His character is a legend in the series, with his wise-cracking attitude and bravery making him a fan-favorite.
Though he has his fair share of time in the limelight, why not give him another shot in a live-action adaptation? His last few appearances, such as in Welcome to Raccoon City, have not been well-received by fans due to the casting choice, and the weak script that was a disservice to all the characters. He deserves a role worthy of his character, and this new movie could provide just that.
2 Chris Redfield
One of Resident Evil's Strongest Survivors
Resident Evil
- Released
- March 22, 1996
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
Chris is one of the Resident Evil characters with the most appearances in the series of games, and other RE media such as movies. He was one of the playable characters in the first game, and has since appeared in many other titles, such as Resident Evil 5, 6, and even Village. Chris's return to the series is more of a question of if rather than when, as he shows no signs of stopping his fight against bioterrorism anytime soon.
Whether he appears in the movie is still in question, though Chris is definitely one of the most deserving thanks to his heroism in the face of even the most frightening scenarios. If the filmmakers are making good on their promise to adapt the source material, there is every chance it will be the Spencer Mansion incident, in which case Chris would have to be included.
1 Jill Valentine
Jill Has Been Left Out Cold For a Long Time
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
- Released
- November 10, 1999
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
Despite being one of the most popular legacy characters, Jill seems to have been mainly forgotten in recent titles, with her name not even mentioned by other characters. Though there are rumors she may have a minor role in Resident Evil 9, Jill deserves far better, and should have a starring role in a Resident Evil project.
And if Capcom isn't willing to give her that, maybe the filmmakers at the helm of the new RE movie could return Jill to the franchise. Though it would likely be a retelling of one of her previous stories, such as the first game or Resident Evil 3, it is still better than the whole lot of nothing she has been getting from the game series in the past years. As a confident and capable agent who has great chemistry with other characters such as Chris, Jill's inclusion could elevate the movies to levels of greatness.
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