The Resident Evil movie franchise is the most successful series of films based on video games that Hollywood has given audiences so far, but all good things come to an end — in this case, with an upcoming sequel titled (appropriately enough) Resident Evil: The Final Chapter.
In an interview with IGN, Resident Evil franchise actress Ali Larter — who played Claire Redfield in three of the five previous installments of the series — confirmed that the upcoming sixth film will live up to its title and be the concluding chapter of the franchise.
“I know it is [the final movie],” Larter said of Resident Evil: The Final Chapter. “We are not allowed to say one thing. I am held to secrecy, but what I can tell you is that the script is amazing. They’re really wrapping up the whole series, so that just makes it a little more poignant. To be able to come back and reprise my role as Claire and my relationship with Alice, with Umbrella Corp. — you know, I’m excited to get back in it. I think the fans are just going to be beyond excited.”
Encompassing five films that have collectively earned more than $915 million worldwide, the Resident Evil franchise kicked off with 2002’s Resident Evil. That film introduced franchise star Milla Jovovich as Alice, the series’ enigmatic, acrobatic heroine and the only character to appear in all five films. Subsequent films have introduced a long list of characters from the game franchise while creating a standalone continuity for the movie franchise that diverges dramatically from that of the games.
Along with Larter as Claire Redfield, the franchise cast has included Fast & Furious actress Michelle Rodriguez as Rain Ocampo, The Following actor James Purefoy as Spence Parks, Next Friday actor/comedian Mike Epps as Lloyd Jefferson “L.J.” Wade, Prison Break actor Wentworth Miller as Chris Redfield, Sons of Anarchy actor Kim Coates as Bennett, The Strain actor Kevin Durand as Barry Burton, and Helen of Troy star Sienna Guillory as Jill Valentine.
Paul W.S. Anderson, who directed and co-wrote the original film, has co-written each subsequent installment of the franchise and directed the last two movies. He’ll return as co-writer and director of Resident Evil: The Final Chapter.
“How many movies have this kind of fanbase and get to be made six times?” added Larter. “I think that’s extraordinary. It’s a total testament to [series star] Milla [Jovovich] and Paul. I’m so grateful to them, that they chose me to be a part of it halfway through, and they’ve kept me along for the ride. I love that it’s not seven men and one woman. I mean, these are two women, and they’re not competing with each other. You know, there are such easy clichés these two could fall into, but this is definitely a female power movie.”
Production is expected to begin on The Final Chapter later this year in Cape Town, South Africa. The film is expected to hit theaters in 2017.
