The Resident Evil Movie We Always Wanted But Never Got Is Getting The Documentary Treatment

The Resident Evil Movie We Always Wanted But Never Got Is Getting The Documentary Treatment

Key Takeaways

  • George A. Romero’s canceled Resident Evil adaptation will be explored in an upcoming documentary by Uncork’d Entertainment.
  • Romero’s script for the film was rejected for straying from the game, leading to Paul W.S. Anderson’s adaptation.
  • The documentary will feature archival footage and interviews with those involved, shedding light on Romero’s vision and influence.

As a gamer with a deep appreciation for horror and the history of zombie films, I am beyond excited about the upcoming documentary on George A. Romero’s canceled Resident Evil adaptation. Growing up, Romero’s work was a staple in my household, with his iconic Living Dead series setting the standard for what zombie movies should be. It’s fascinating to think that had his vision for Resident Evil come to fruition, it might have changed the course of not just video games but also filmmaking.


In an exciting turn of events, the long-awaited investigation into George A. Romero’s unrealized adaptation of Resident Evil, affectionately known as the “Father of the Zombie Film,” is now being transformed into a documentary by Uncork’d Entertainment. The release date for this intriguing film is rapidly approaching. For those unfamiliar, George A. Romero was a visionary in the horror genre, responsible for creating some of the world’s most iconic zombie movies, such as Night of the Living Dead (1963), Dawn of the Dead, and Day of the Dead. It is safe to say that Romero significantly expanded the boundaries of the zombie subgenre and served as a major inspiration for other filmmakers like Danny Boyle, director of 28 Days Later, and James Gunn, who drew inspiration from Romero’s work for his 2006 movie Slither.

It’s reasonable to think that the long-running Resident Evil series from Capcom might not have materialized without Romero’s significant impact, as he was later brought on board by him to direct a live-action trailer for Resident Evil 2 in late 1997. Not only did Romero shape numerous films and games, but he also featured in several productions himself. In 2010, he made an appearance in Call of Duty: Black Ops as a formidable “boss” zombie armed with a movie studio light, and provided his voice for the villain Dr. B. E. Vil in ACW Games’ Zombie Squash.

Resident Evil Documentary Will Detail Romero’s Canceled Film Adaptation

Brandon Salisbury, a partner at Knights of the Dead Films, is responsible for directing and co-writing a documentary about George A. Romero’s take on Resident Evil. This upcoming documentary seeks to transport fans back to 1998 when Constantin Film embarked on adapting Resident Evil for the big screen. It will delve into Romero’s efforts to adapt the popular video game series and why, unfortunately, his vision never came to fruition. The documentary promises to be enlightening, featuring archival footage and interviews from those who were part of the unrealized film’s production process. Romero had penned a script for the film that was based on Capcom’s Resident Evil series, but by 1998, development was underway. However, according to Capcom’s producer at the time, Yoshiki Okamoto, Romero’s “script wasn’t up to par” as it deviated from the 1996 game, leading to his dismissal.

Unfortunately for George A. Romero, renowned for his “Living Dead” films significantly influencing the “Resident Evil” video games, it was Paul W.S. Anderson’s adaptation that was chosen instead in 2002 for the “Resident Evil” movie starring Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez. A sneak peek of a George A. Romero “Resident Evil” documentary was revealed last year, where Romero expresses his excitement about his impact on the “Resident Evil” games and felt honored to be part of the adaptation. Keith Leopard, president of Uncork’d Entertainment, who obtained distribution rights for the documentary, stated, “This documentary honors Romero’s remarkable vision and the storytelling prowess that surpassed what could have been.

If you’re a fan of the Resident Evil series, mark your calendars! George A. Romero’s Resident Evil documentary is set to debut on Digital and On Demand platforms within the U.S. starting January 7, 2025. As for global release, details are still pending.

Source: Bloody Disgusting

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2024-11-26 22:23