Screen Gems and Constantin Film announced today that Resident Evil: Afterlife, the next installment in the widely successful “Resident Evil” film franchise has begun production in Toronto, Canada. The fourth film, which will be shot and released in 3-D, is a first in the “Resident Evil” film franchise. Most of the key creative players, who turned the “Resident Evil” film franchise into a global phenomenon, will be reprising their roles in “Afterlife.”
Actress Milla Jovovich returns as the zombie-fighting heroine Alice. Ali Larter reprises her role as Claire Redfield from Resident Evil: Extinction. Spencer Locke, who played K-Mart in “Extinction,” is also set to return. New to the film franchise is leading man Wentworth Miller, who has signed on as Chris Redfield Claire’s brother and a popular character from the game series. Shawn Roberts will take over the role of Alice’s nemesis Wesker. Boris Kodjoe and Kim Coates have also been cast.
Filmmaker Paul W. S. Anderson is back in his triple threat capacity as writer, director and producer. Anderson wrote, produced and directed the first Resident Evil (2002) and wrote and produced the sequels, Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004) and “Extinction” (2007). Producing alongside Anderson are the same creative minds from the three previous films: Anderson’s longterm producing partner Jeremy Bolt, Constantin Film’s Bernd Eichinger (writer and producer of the Oscar®-nominated films The Baader Meinhof Complex and Downfall) and Robert Kulzer, and Samuel Hadida. Rounding out the “Afterlife” producing team is Don Carmody, also a producer on “Apocalypse.” Martin Moszkowicz and Victor Hadida are again executive producing.
“It is tremendously exciting to bring a new chapter in the ‘Resident Evil’ saga to life with such a talented group of actors and filmmakers,” said Kulzer, who produced the sci-fi horror flick Pandorum with Anderson and Bolt. “It gets better every time.”
Anderson offered a small glimpse of what can be expected in the new film: “Alice’s battle with The Umbrella Corporation isn’t finished. Last time we saw Alice, she let them know she was coming after them. It’s time to settle the score.”
Screen Gems’ President Clint Culpepper noted, “The ‘Resident Evil’ franchise has successfully entertained audiences around the globe and we are pleased to bring yet another installment to fans with the same creative team but this time in 3-D.”
Based on the massively popular “Resident Evil” video game series by Capcom Entertainment, the “Resident Evil” films are part of a global brand that also includes books, merchandising, DVD collections and more.
Screen Gems will distribute Resident Evil: Afterlife in the U.S. and Sony Pictures will distribute in certain select foreign territories. Screen Gems previously handled U.S. distribution of Resident Evil, “Apocalypse” and “Extinction.” Constantin Film will retain all German-language rights. Metropolitan Film Export, headed by Samuel Hadida and Victor Hadida, will distribute the film in France.
“Afterlife” is expected to hit U.S. theatres in fall 2010 and throughout the rest of the word in the following months.
