George A. Romero's Resident Evil
2025 American documentary film
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George A. Romero's Resident Evil is an American documentary film directed and co-written by Brandon Salisbury.[1] The documentary is about the unrealized film adaptation of the horror video game series Resident Evil, for which filmmaker George A. Romero was considered as a director; in 1998, Romero completed a draft of a screenplay for a Resident Evil film for Constantin Film, but the game series' publisher, Capcom, rejected the script.[2] A film adaptation written and directed by Paul W. S. Anderson and produced by Constantin Film was eventually released in 2002.[2]
- Robbie McGregor
- Brandon Salisbury
- Thomas Touhey
- Joel Welsh
| George A. Romero's Resident Evil | |
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Official release poster, which replicates the U.S. cover artwork for Resident Evil 2 | |
| Directed by | Brandon Salisbury |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Narrated by | Pablo Kuntz |
| Cinematography | Tom Robenolt |
| Music by | Duane Carlton Merritt |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Uncork'd Entertainment |
Release date |
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Running time | 110 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
George A. Romero's Resident Evil features interviews with figures associated with the unrealized Resident Evil adaptation,[2][3] as well as archival footage and "unearthed documents" that pertain to the project.[4] The documentary is filmed in a mansion, intended to be reminiscent of the fictional Spencer Mansion that served as the setting for the first Resident Evil game.[2][3] Pablo Kuntz, the original voice of Albert Wesker in the original game, narrates the documentary.[5]
The documentary was released on digital and on demand on January 7, 2025.
Background
In 1998, the German production company, Constantin Film, hired Romero to write and direct a live action Resident Evil film. The decision made sense as Romero created the modern zombie genre with Night of the Living Dead. Before writing the script, Romero studied the game closely, even having an assistant record gameplay so he could follow the story scene by scene.[6]
The documentary, that is directed by Brandon Salisbury, explores the vision that director George A. Romero had for an adaptation of Resident Evil, using new interviews with the people who were involved, and delving into why it was never made.[6]
Production
George A. Romero's Resident Evil was announced in August 2022 at the Creature Feature Weekend, a film festival and fan convention in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.[2] An official teaser trailer for the documentary was released on March 28, 2023.[1][4]
Release
George A. Romero's Resident Evil was released on digital and on demand on January 7, 2025.[7][8]
Critical response
Tyler Doupe of Dread Central gave a positive review, writing "Though it's not perfect, George A. Romero's Resident Evil is worth a watch. I came away more knowledgeable about the failed adaptation than I was when I went in".[9]