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Paul W.S. Anderson begins work on sixth Resident Evil movie
The Resident Evil movies are one of the most successful games-to-film adaptations out there - financially, anyway. Critically, well ... maybe not so much. And yet, like the undead it portrays on the big screen, the series keeps shuffling along, undeterred. China Central Television (CCTV) reports that director Paul W.S. Anderson will begin work on the sixth installment this year. Anderson discussed the film at the Beijing International Film Festival, which included plans to once again cast Chinese actress Li Bingbing as Ada Wong. CCTV reports that Anderson said he would "have to go home ... for 'Rising Resident Evil,'" but this appears to be a mistranslation. A clip from Anderson's talk reveals that he said "writing," not "Rising." It was reported last year that the as-of-yet-unnamed sequel would release in September of this year, but if Anderson is just now starting to pen the script, that seems about as likely as surviving a Licker encounter with no Green Herbs and a Combat Knife. Are we right? Eh? Eh? This guy, he gets it. Resident Evil: Retribution, the most recent entry, reportedly cost $65 million to produce and earned $221 million. [Image: Screen Gems]
The Last of Us film moving ahead with Naughty Dog writing
Naughty Dog's stellar PlayStation 3 exclusive, The Last of Us, may soon appear in theaters, thanks to an agreement between the developer, Sony and Resident Evil: Afterlife production company Screen Gems. According to Deadline, the film adaptation will be written by Neil Druckmann who served as creative director on The Last of Us. Druckmann will also join Naughty Dog co-presidents Evan Wells and Christophe Balestra as well as game director Bruce Straley in designing the film's overall creative vision. Ghost House Productions, a company led by Evil Dead auteur Sam Raimi, will assist with general production duties. "Screen Gems' Brian Dukes and Eric Ling brought this game to my attention insisting we go after it, and when I saw the quality of the storytelling, I knew the audience for this project was far greater than just the gaming community and that Neil Druckmann must write the screenplay," stated Screen Gems president Clint Culpepper. Missing from Deadline's report is any info on who might star in or direct the movie. This means you readers get to fill the comments below with speculative casting choices - well, except for Ellie. That one's a no-brainer. [Image: Sony]
Fifth Resident Evil movie in the works, scheduled for 2012
Like the zombies it's based off of, the Resident Evil movie franchise will not die. Although the fifth film has yet to be subtitled, it does have a date. "Resident Evil 5" will be in theaters -- in 3D, of course -- on September 14, 2012. There's good reason for the hastened production schedule for yet another sequel. According to Box Office Mojo, last year's Resident Evil film, Afterlife, was the highest grossing in the series, generating over $236 million, which is "about as much as the first three movies combined," the site notes. Afterlife enjoyed success in international markets and generated additional revenue through its 3D presentations. According to the report, about 80 percent of Afterlife's domestic revenue came from its extra-dimensional screenings. With the success of Resident Evil on the silver screen, it's no surprise Capcom and Sony Pictures are trying to strike gold again. In addition to Resident Evil, a Devil May Cry film is also in the works.
Devil May Cry movie rights acquired by Screen Gems
Screen Gems' last partnership with Capcom was a resounding success: the Resident Evil films have grossed over $580 million worldwide. It is undoubtedly looking to replicate that success with its latest acquisition, Devil May Cry. Kyle Ward has been hired to write the script. Ward is currently unproven; his first feature-length script, Fiasco Heights, will debut later this year. In addition to Devil May Cry, Ward is also signed for another video game adaptation: Kane & Lynch. According to Variety, the film will feature Dante on a quest to "avenge his mother's murder by killing off demons." Given the early status of the project, it's unclear if the film will be based on the classic games, or on Ninja Theory's upcoming reboot. Given Paul Anderson's creative freedom on the Resident Evil franchise, it's entirely possible that the Hollywood Dante will be an entirely original one, as well. [Image credit: Jo Chen]
First 'Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D' stills are 2D, compensate with Mila Jovovich
We're not sure if you've noticed, but ever since that little indie flick Avatar hit theaters, every studio under the sun has been jumping on the 3D movie gravy train. Well, they'd best slide over and make room for Paul W.S. Anderson and Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D. (Which is -- get this -- in 3D!) Capcom Unity is hosting the first stills from the film, which of course stars Mila Jovovich, joined this time around by Prison Break star Wentworth Miller (as Chris Redfield). In 3D! We're just guessing (for distributor Screen Gems' sake) that there'll also be an old fashioned two-dimensional release of the film -- which, unlike most current "3D" movies, is actually being shot in 3D and not converted after the fact to the tune of $100,000 a minute.
