Netflix is continuing its string of live-action adaptations of popular video game properties with Resident Evil. Though the series is still in its planning stages, the company’s previous work with Castlevania and The Witcher has fans optimistic about the final product. The question remains: how much will they borrow from the games and how much will they create new for themselves?
If leaks are to be believed, the series will be set in a fictional town in Maryland more than two decades after the initial outbreak in Raccoon City. Few details are known regarding the project, causing fans’ minds to wonder wildly about what they’ll include from the series. Here are 10 elements from the games we desperately hope they find time for.
The Police Station
An integral part of Resident Evil 2, the Raccoon City Police Station stands as one of the most iconic video game settings ever. Assuming the series sees any time in the city where the T-Virus first broke out, they have to show off this iconic location in a live-action. format. If it does make an appearance, will they keep its odd architecture and haunting design, or opt for something more closely resembling a real police station? We are hoping for the former. Resident Evil is weird and the series should not shy away from its oddities.
Albert Wesker
The main villain of the series up until Resident Evil 5 was a real pain the neck, making it all the more satisfying when he was destroyed by simultaneously taking two rocket launchers to the face while burning up in a volcano. Talk about overkill. Should the series take place in modern times, here’s hoping Wesker’s actions are still impacting the lore and he gets to show up in flashbacks. The actor who played him in the film series did a standout job, as did Jason O’Mara, who played him in Resident Evil: Extinction.
Mr. X
The Resident Evil 2 remake added numerous innovations to the gameplay formula, the biggest of which was Mr. X. The cat and mouse game of his appearances heightened the tension to heights previously unseen in the series. His behavior changed based on the player’s actions, making him unpredictable. Easily one of the best enemies of 2019 in any game, producers would be foolish not to include him in some respect, even if only for a quick cameo.
Jill Valentine
One of the two stars of the first Resident Evil, Jill Valentine has been out of the spotlight for a while, last canonically appearing in Resident Evil 5. She is the main protagonist of the upcoming Resident Evil 3 remake, but it is set during the outbreak in Raccoon City in 1998. Maybe the series can shed a light on her exploits over the years since fans have seen her, assuming it will tie in with the games’ lore. Synergy between games and films can be dangerous, but can pay off wonderfully if done right.
Horror
This should go without saying, but horror can so often get confused with action. We want to be in total fear when watching this show, feeling emotions that make Walking Dead feel like a Disney movie. The original games on the PlayStation, despite their primitive graphics, still have the power to frighten players to no end.
While Resident Evil 4 through 6 were more action-oriented, they brought it back home with Resident Evil 7. Horror is in the franchise’s blood, so the show’s apple should not fall too far from the tree.
Nemesis
Nemesis appeared in Resident Evil: Apocalypse back in 2004, but the character is expected to have a renaissance soon with the Resident Evil 3 remake. Fans expect his behavior to be similar to Mr. X’s in the last remake, only this time his physical capabilities are superior and his arsenal more threatening. With this in mind, including him seems like a no-brainer.
Claire And Chris
The brother and sister duo have spent plenty of time in the spotlight. Oddly enough, they rarely show up together in the games. Code: Veronica is the only time they share the screen. As two fan favorites, Chris and Claire deserve a spot on the cast list, and them showing up together would give fans insight into their relationship. Additionally, it could help explain why the heck Chris is working for a company called Umbrella, something revealed during Resident Evil 7’s ending.
Lore
While many of these entries are about seeing things from the game, the most vital thing for the show is to push the lore forward and give fans a deeper understanding of the Resident Evil world. It shouldn’t just be a nostalgia trip, though it can definitely show off some familiar sights while further exploring the rich lore. With all the games and canonical spin-offs making up the franchise, there is quite a bit for the writers to sort through, giving them a wealth of possibilities to take the show in.
Leon
Perhaps the most unlucky rookie police officer in any piece of fiction, Leon S. Kennedy handled himself well during a zombie outbreak. Then, he went on to star in one of the most beloved games of all time, Resident Evil 4. Given his track record, he stands as one of the more popular protagonists of the franchise, meaning he should get some proper time in the spotlight during the show. His last appearance was in Resident Evil 6, so fans really want to know what he has been up to all this time. If a Resident Evil 8 doesn’t answer this, then the show should.
Similar Soundtrack
Half of every video game, movie, or television show is its soundtrack. A scene will feel wildly different depending on the music put behind it. The original games’ score greatly contributes to its haunting atmosphere, with eerie ambient tracks in the vein of Mark Snow’s score for The X-Files. If the show has little similarity the games’, the music can help connect it to its source material by taking a similar route and eschewing an orchestra or a rock-inspired score.
Next: 10 Most Ridiculous Action Sequences Of The Resident Evil Movies, Ranked
