Many of you have probably written off the RESIDENT EVIL franchise as another garbage series that isn't worth your time. Paul W.S. Anderson has become, to many, the studio equivalent of Uwe Boll as he releases mediocre films that turn into franchise starters. Whether it be RESIDENT EVIL, ALIEN VS PREDATOR, or his most recent POMPEII, Anderson's movies are not high art but they are B-movie fun.
Even if the films have hovered around $50 million in domestic gross, they have consistently brought in $200 million internationally, making them profitable for the studio. Anderson already announced that a sixth film would be made, likely ending the franchise, but was delayed due to his post-production with POMPEII. Now, Anderson is preparing to shoot the sequel to RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION and has shared some minor details.
"I have to go home tomorrow for 'Rising Resident Evil'. That's what I'm going to do. As you know, Bingbing is in the last movie and she will be there again. .. After 'Resident Evil' I want to come to China and shoot film again," Anderson said.
Anderson says he believes 3D technology has now become the fabric, rather than just a special sauce, for a film. And, his next "Resident Evil" will "definitely be 3D".
It seems likely that the title would be RESIDENT EVIL: RISING in keeping with the naming convention of the preceeding movies. Once again it will be in 3D and Li Bingbing will return from RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION. While the movies have gotten increasingly more convoluted, much like the RESIDENT EVIL video games, capping the storylines built up over five films would definitely provide a sense of closure for those who have been fans of the series so far.
The question remains as to whether RESIDENT EVIL: RISING, or whatever the English title will be, will get a higher budget than the prior films to send it out with a bang. As Paul W.S. Anderson has tended to maximize what he can with less money, I would expect to see more of the same.
RESIDENT EVIL: RISING has no formal release date, but expect to see it sometime in 2015.
