A new CG animated film for the Resident Evil franchise has been announced with an exclusive teaser trailer via IGN. “D.S.O. agent Leon S. Kennedy is on a mission to rescue Dr. Antonio Taylor from kidnappers when a mysterious woman thwarts his pursuit. Meanwhile, B.S.A.A. agent Chris Redfield is investigating a zombie outbreak in San Francisco, where the cause of the infection cannot be identified. The only thing the victims have in common is that they all visited Alcatraz Island recently. Following that clue, Chris and his team head to the island, where a new horror awaits them.” (Via IGN)
The film will be a sequel to Resident Evil: Vendetta (2017) and will be directed by Japanese film director Eiichiro Hasumi. Hasumi is known for his work in Assassination Classroom (2015), Over Drive (2018), and The Sun Stands Still (2021). He also directed the Netflix series Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness (2021).
It is not yet confirmed who will voice the characters in the film. Matthew Mercer voiced Leon Kennedy in Resident Evil: Vendetta (2017) but was substituted with Nick Apostolides in Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness (2021), so it is not yet clear who, if either, will voice him in the new film.
Many fans are ecstatic over the return of one of the most popular gaming characters, Jill Valentine. She is seen firing a gun, seemingly at a firing range. Eagle-eyed fans will also spot her in the first few seconds of the teaser trailer walking beside Chris Redfield. This marks the first time Jill has appeared in any Resident Evil CG films that share a canon with the game series. It also marks the first time Jill has appeared in the chronology since 2009 in the video game Resident Evil 5 (2009). Jill has been a long-requested character to return to the game series and star in a CG film.
Rebecca Chambers, another character from the game series who also played a prominent role in Resident Evil: Vendetta (2017), is also seemingly confirmed to appear in the film. The teaser trailer shows a coffee cup with her name on it and a smiley face. This brings the possibility of Jill, Rebecca, and more characters interacting with each other on screen for the first time.
The film will be distributed by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and released worldwide, barring Japan, Summer of 2023.