Resident Evil (2021 film)

Pre-production took place in early 2017 while Resident Evil: The Final Chapter was still in theatres, with Constantin Film chairman Martin Moszkowicz saying that a reboot of the series was in development, and producer James Wan expressing interest in the project.[6][7] Wan later confirmed in December 2018 that he was no longer involved in the project and said that news of his involvement was premature, and will instead produce Mortal Kombat (2021).[8]

Greg Russo was attached as writer in 2017. Russo, who was also attached to Mortal Kombat (2021) at the time, drew inspiration from the 2017 video game Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, though would later clarify he only drew on the tones of the game – "scary, isolated, alone" – rather than the story itself.[9] Russo wanted Moonlight Sonata, a composition featured in several Resident Evil games, to feature in the opening credits.[10] In a November 2018 interview with DiscussingFilm, Russo confirmed he was no longer involved with the project. In December 2018, Johannes Roberts was hired to write a new screenplay and to direct.[11][12] In August 2019, Roberts told Screen Rant that the reboot would be "super, super scary" and more faithful to the games than the previous films.[13]

In a statement to Deadline Hollywood, Roberts said:

I really wanted to go back to the original first two games and re-create the terrifying visceral experience I had when I first played them whilst at the same time telling a grounded human story about a small dying American town that feels both relatable and relevant to today’s audiences.[1]

In the same article, Resident Evil producer Robert Kulzer states:

After a dozen games, six live-action movies and hundreds of pages of fan fiction, we felt compelled to return to the year 1998, to explore the secrets hidden in the walls of the Spencer Mansion and Raccoon City.[1]

In early 2020, casting was underway but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In a February 2020 interview with Starburst Magazine, Roberts confirmed that casting details were set to be announced in March.[14] In April 2020, Full Circle Cinema reported that the studio was eyeing Brenton Thwaites, Kaya Scodelario, and Harris Dickinson for the roles of the Redfield siblings Chris and Claire and Leon S. Kennedy.[15]

On October 6, 2020, Deadline Hollywood reported that Scodelario and Hannah John-Kamen had been cast as Claire and Jill Valentine, alongside Robbie Amell, Tom Hopper, Avan Jogia, and Neal McDonough as Chris Redfield, Albert Wesker, Leon S. Kennedy, and William Birkin, respectively. The reboot was described as serving as an origin story set in 1998.[1] That November, Donal Logue was cast as Chief Brian Irons,[3] alongside Chad Rook as Richard Aiken,[4] and Lily Gao as Ada Wong.[2]

Principal photography began in the Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada on October 17, 2020.[16][17][18] In December 2020, Maxime Alexandre was revealed as the director of photography.[19] Filming was completed on December 24, 2020.[20]