New Documentary Explores George A. Romeros Unmade ‘Resident Evil’ Movie

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As a long-time fan of George Romero’s groundbreaking work in horror cinema, I can’t help but feel a twinge of regret and curiosity about what could have been with his unrealized vision for Resident Evil. The tantalizing glimpse we got through that iconic commercial he directed back in 1998 only serves to heighten the intrigue surrounding this lost opportunity.

One intriguing speculation within the horror genre has been: What if George Romero, renowned for Night of the Living Dead, had directed Resident Evil instead? Pondering over this hypothetical scenario, given that he could have directed the 2002 action-horror movie, is nearly impossible now, but for a brief moment, it was a tangible possibility. The untold tale of his unmade film will be delved into in the upcoming documentary titled George A. Romero’s Resident Evil.

Back in 1998, Constantin Film aspired to transform the renowned horror video game, “Resident Evil,” into a movie. They approached George A. Romero, a pioneer who revolutionized the zombie genre, to oversee the adaptation. However, despite the seemingly ideal combination of horror’s top brains, Romero’s vision for “Resident Evil” never came to fruition.

For the very first time, Salisbury’s documentary reveals the concealed narrative of the intriguing project that left both fans and the horror community spellbound.

George Romero is credited for shaping contemporary horror and creating the modern concept of zombies, paving the way for series like Resident Evil, according to Salisbury’s statement released today. It’s an honor for me to share with fans the untold tale behind his most significant unrealized project, paying tribute to the filmmaker who sparked my passion for cinema. I eagerly anticipate that fans will have an incredible immersion into the realm of survival horror with this project.

George Romero’s ‘Resident Evil’ Would Have Been Rated NC-17

It’s common knowledge that Paul W.S. Anderson directed the Resident Evil series, and while it spawned numerous movies, its quality wasn’t exceptional. Comparable to other video game adaptations from that era, it lacked originality (like Mortal Kombat, for instance). Despite being potentially enjoyable in its own right, it was more predictable than Einstein’s theory of relativity.

If Romero’s concept had been realized, it’s hard to say what shape the Resident Evil franchise would be in now. Unfortunately, all six of his proposals were turned down because they were too graphic, potentially earning the film an NC-17 rating. This likely would have resulted in numerous cuts, compromising his original vision. The closest we’ve come to seeing his vision was a commercial he directed for the Resident Evil 2 game in 1998, featuring Brad Renfro as Leon S. Kennedy and Adrienne Frantz as Claire Redfield.

It’s no secret that we’re eagerly anticipating George A. Romero’s Resident Evil, and we can’t wait to discover more behind-the-scenes tales from industry professionals. Here’s hoping that fans receive all the clarifications they’ve been seeking, ultimately settling this matter for good.

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2024-11-21 00:32