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Resident Evil Film Remake Project (a vision for a new adaptation)

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  • Resident Evil Film Remake Project (a vision for a new adaptation)

    Sorry if this as been posted in the wrong forum....

    I originally began a conversation in this thread, http://www.the-horror.com/forums/sho...came-out/page2, about how the Resident Evil films changed elements, and was asking individuals what they wanted to see for a film adaptation. During this, and for the past few months, I have began developing a remake project that would re-adapt the game series into live action, using a process similar to Kevin Tarcheron did for Mortal Kombat. A promo reel that gives a basic set-up for the series, a web series that would tell the set up to my films, and then finally a trilogy of films that adapt major story points in the series, but of course, modified for the vision that I have for the series. I have studied film for 13 years, most of it while holding a job and/or serving in the military. I am an artist and a writer. I am a visionary. I understand story structure, as well as the Hollywood business model, even if I don't agree with their standards for developing features.

    While I am nervous presenting this (who wouldn't), I am also excited because I honestly want to create an adaptation that would meet most fans expectations. Not everyone will agree with changes I have made, but I will be happy to explain my reasonings why I have done what I have done.

    THE BACKGROUND

    Before I lay down my concept, I should outline a few things about the world of Resident Evil, and mention a few changes that are taking place. The setting is changed to the present, using world events to adapt the games into a realistic fashion.

    Raccoon: A small city in western Pennsylvannia, situated at the base of the Arklay Mountains, which are essentially the foothills of the Apphalation Mountain Range. Its population is roughly 80,000 people or so, and a large majority are either connected through business or directly employed by the Umbrella Corporation. It was originally a coal mining town in the early 20th century, but when the industry was a bust the town almost collapsed. In the later years, roughly 1970 or 1980, the Umbrella Corporation invested a lot of money in the town and employed many of its residents for its factories.

    Umbrella Corporation: An international pharmaceutical company that is also secretly contracted by the government. Much is the same as the video games, except that they aren't as powerful or have a limitless income as what the games detail. Most of its employees are innocent, with only a few higher-ranking executives, and a group of scientists, having full knowledge of White Umbrella – the private sector that is contracted by the government for weapons projects. What the government doesn't know is that Umbrella is using illegal experiemntation for the construction of viral weaponry – most of the defense department believes they are developing advanced weapons as well as a program to rejuvenate soldiers and make them better combatants.

    The Raccoon Research Facility: Umbrella only has a few facilities in the world. There is only one in Raccoon (unlike the 3 or 4 that the games describe). And it is massive. The government helped fund its construction, and is partially a remodeled underground storage facility (similar to the facility used in Day of the Dead). They deepened it, and connected it with two locations: a shipping facility above, and old mining tunnels that connect to a mansion outside of town. The mansion houses the researchers and visiting corporate executives. The mansion also has a separate lab of its own. While the Raccoon Research Facility is headed by William Birkin and is the main lab for studying both the T-Virus and the newly designed G-Virus, the Spencer Laboratory is headed by John (Ada's boyfriend from the games) for the abandoned Chimera project and the current Tyrant project.

    S.T.A.R.S. (Special Tactics and Rescue Services): a paramiltary organization under the DHS, made up from former military, law enforcement, and emergency services as a quick reaction force in cases of terrorism, disaster relief, and hostage rescue operations. They occasionally work with law enforcement agencies during localized crisises, though are self-sufficient. Members are picked for their unique talents and special fields of expertise. They have access to several military-grade weapons and vehicles. [I view S.T.A.R.S. In a similar fashion as the commandos from Predator. They wear military gear, but each has their own unique appearance – there is no dress standard. I made them a government agency as a means to allows them access to grenade launchers, rocket launchers, and miltary vehicles... things that law enforcement usually don't possess. While they still perform the same role that they did in Resident Evil 1, their connection with the Department of Homeland Security updates them to the present year.]

    Now that I've laid out some common basics for the series, I will get into my plans for my vision of a new Resident Evil film series:

    THE PROMO

    I am still developing the promo concept, which is just a 10-minute short film, similar to how Mortal Kombat Rebirth was made. The point of this is to just show my writing and directing talents, and create the tone of what I want to do. It will be a Kickstarter project, and hopefully, if the fans and Youtube viewers give it good reviews and a large view count, I can approach Constantin Films with the rest of my concept. I'm still dialing this in, but if anyone has input or a concept that they would want to see made live-action, then I'm all ears.

    ORIGINS

    This is the beginning of my vision for the series. A web series of 5 episodes that detail what happens just before the events of Resident Evil 1. Each episode will be about 15 minutes, with events seen through the eyes of Leon Kennedy, Chris Redfield, and others. In the summer months, bizarre murders and strange events are plaguing Raccoon. The city is in disorder, and martial law is being declared. The police department, unable to solve the events and maintain control, are aided by the government's S.T.A.R.S. Organization when they send two field units to the city. During this, rookie officer Leon Kennedy is doing his own investigation after gaining important imformation from an inside source. [Resident Evil: Origins uses the framework of the Beginning novella, though replaces Chris Redfield with Leon Kennedy. The series will also lay out the story arcs for Jill Valentine, Barry Burton, as well as characters from the game Resident Evil 2.] Origins ends with S.T.A.R.S. Bravo team going missing while attempting a rescue mission of several hikers in the Arklay Mountains, and the Alpha team responding with a rescue mission of their own....]

    BIOHAZARD

    Resident Evil: Biohazard would be the season 2 of the web series. If Origins is a success, then this series would have 10 episodes that adapt Resident Evil 1, and chronicle the Alpha team as they uncover the illegal research being conducted below in laboratories, and dealing with a traitor that is trying to cover up the evidence. In this, there are multiple points of view, and characters are constantly guessing who they can trust as they slowly uncover a conspiracy. Barry Burton is going to be viewed as the traitor with many scenes showing him with suspicious activity. One difference from the game is that the reveal of Wesker's betrayal and his secret mission are slightly different.

    Now, if these two web series are hits, then finally I can get to the film trilogy that I would want to tell. I only have a basic outline of events, but I will discuss an overview of them. These will be in the next post, though. Below I will talk about four of the main characters, as well as their story arcs that I envision for them.....


    CHARACTER STORY ARCS

    Chris Redfield: Chris is the main character, not just for the web series, but for the film trilogy as well. He is former Air Force, and is a highly-trained marksman for his team. He is rash and also tends to argue against authority. He cares a lot for his sister, and has stepped in as a father figure after their parents were killed years ago. He even used his benefits to help send Claire to college. Chris's story arc during Biohazard is helping to protect Rebecca Chambers. He views her as his sister, and mistakingly becomes overprotective. Over the season, he has to loosen his grip and learn to trust Rebecca as an agent and not a helpless girl. After the events of the season, Chris begins to darken and feel depressed, leading into events covered by the film trilogy.

    Barry Burton: Former veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, Barry has seen a lot of combat. He is a weapons specialist. Barry is a family man, and will do whatever it takes to protect his wife and two little girls. When Albert Wesker blackmails him into aiding him, Barry doesn't hesitate when his family is treatened. But betraying his teammates also leaves him depressed and acting strangely. During the web series, he is responsible for barring Chris and Jill's access of rooms, destroying evidence, and even eventually coldcocking Jill and locking her in a cell. He never forgets the things Jill says to him after that act, which forces him to make amends for his action. He gives Jill an envelope and descends into the bowls of the lab. He helps rescue Chris and Rebecca from Wesker, and after injured in a battle with the Tyrant, self destructs the entire mansion facility.

    Jill Valentine: Former Army Ranger, with an occupation in EOD. She is fast, smart, and resourceful due to her spec-ops training, and was one of the first females to pass exams that allowd her to serve in combat. She has become a specialist with breeching entries, from explosives to using lockpicks. Her story arc is one of trust. When it is discovered that there is a traitor amongst them, she begins to suspect Barry Burton and alienates herself. When Barry locks her up, she knows without a doubt that it was Barry that is the betrayer and says very nasty things towards him, shaming him. When Chris rescues her, she discovers the truth. Only after they are on the helicopter does she open the envelope he gave her, finding a note explaining his feelings on betraying them and a photo of Barry with his daughters.

    Rebecca Chambers: A 19-year-old graduate of MIT, and a rookie member of S.T.A.R.S. Rebecca was chosen for her skills in chemistry and medicine. She is a child genius, barely old enough for military service. Chris overprotects her during the web series, and it reaches a boiling point. Rebecca has had enough of people treating her different because of her age, and finally convinces Chris to stop treating her like a child. This foolish bravery eventually leads to her death when Albert Wesker puts a bullet in her chest. She remains alive for a few minutes as Chris attempts to treat her wounds. Her death scars Chris for the rest of his life, and is partially the reason for his decline into depression.

    This all I am willing to share for now regarding the web series. I am excited for people's opinions, and if there are questions regarding any changes, or if you are confused by anything, then I will be happy to answer them.
    Current writing project: Resident Evil: Origins (screenplay)

  • #2
    The following is a basic outline for what I have conceived for a film trilogy. It connects into the web series, and follows character arcs already in place. The film structure I have chosen has the first part setting up details for the trilogy, the second film being the darker point in the story, and then the third film tying up loose ends and bring the entire plot to closure.

    RESIDENT EVIL

    Three weeks after the events of the web series, the T-Virus outbreak in Raccoon is completely out of control. The government has quarantined the area, and all previous evacuation efforts have ceased. This has left Claire Redfield trapped inside the city after coming to find information on the whereabouts of her brother Chris. She meets Leon Kennedy, and together they seek shelter inside the RPD. This film follows the events of Resident Evil 2, with just a hint of elements from the canceled prototype. The story of William Birkin, his mutation, and his search for his daughter Sherry. Leon, while still a rookie, takes center stages with his responsibility and determination to keep civilians alive. This point is important in setting up why he is chosen by the government for his later assignments and his friendship with the President of the United States. [This film uses inspirations from Night of the Living Dead and Assault on Precinct 13, with elements of the original Dawn of the Dead.]

    RESIDENT EVIL II

    This film follows, more or less, the events of Resident Evil 6. Several years after the Raccoon incident, the President wants to announce the government's involvement with Umbrella and their hand in what transpired. But executives within the government, still tied with Umbrella, stage both the assiassination of the President as well as several outbreaks around the world. The T-Virus has fallen into the hands of various governments and militant groups, causing the creation of the BSAA. This film is the “Empire Strikes Back” of the trilogy, with Umbrella executives counterattacking operations against them, and taking revenge against those that plot their downfall. The two main characters for the storyline are Captain Chris Redfield of the BSAA, and Special Agent Leon Kennedy. The climax has Chris discovering that Wesker is still alive and also taking charge of White Umbrella. Their battle is short, with Chris realizing that Wesker has been injected with a new virus that leaves him superhuman. [Obviously, Empire Stikes Back was an inspiration for how it turns the tides against the characters, but even the world-hopping plot can be attributed to James Bond films, specifically with nods towards Skyfall.]

    RESIDENT EVIL III

    The third film uses elements of Resident Evil 5. Chris Redfield is the main character, and the plot deals with the last battle against White Umbrella, his final battle against Wesker, the origins of the virus, and a closure to the main story plots of the film series. There is a possibility that the game segment “Lost in Nightmares” would be featured at the beginning of the second film, which would lead into the plot of Jill Valentine being controlled by Albert Wesker, and Chris' attempt to free her. [For this film, I look at films like District 9 for cultural looks and aspects.]

    This is merely an outline for the film trilogy. A lot could happen as I flesh out the ideas, but obviously, only the two seasons of the web series would be priority at this time. While I know fans are divided over whether they like the newer games or not, I should address that issue now. Below is a list of thoughts regarding myself adapting the newer games:

    1) Umbrella is the main villain during these films, specifically White Umbrella headed by Albert Wesker (he takes on a role similar to Emperor Palpatine in the original Star Wars films).

    2) The T-Virus is the center of attention here. No Las Plagas, no C-Virus, etc. Only in the Resident Evil 2 storyline with Birkin does the G-Virus take center stage. All monsters in these films are classic Resident Evil monsters.

    3) While I use the newer game's plots for the films, they have been stripped down into more realistic form. There are no action heroes, no ridiculous scenes or giant Godzilla-size mutations, just characters attamepting to survive the events in the films while completing their own goals. I want the situations to be scary and fill you with terror with what is happening to the characters. These characters, while well-trained, are still just normal people. They bleed. They become scared. They can even die.

    4) As stated before, only T-Virus monsters will be featured. And even then, I'm only chosing to feature a handful of them for each film. I want the monsters to have proper screen time and not just be in the film because they were in the game. For example, Umbrella mostly has failed experiments. Only during the first film do we see the Tyrant program in a workable state with the Infiltrator model (Mr. X). Before this, Tyrant was a failure. Zombies and zombie monsters are a failed side effect of the virus. The other program they worked on was known as the Chimera project, which is a mutant mengerarie of genetic freaks. While all the monsters in this program have the designation of 'Chimera', their designs include the RE1 Chimera, the RE1.5 man-spider, and RE3's Drain Deimos and Brain Sucker. These creatures all inhabit the Spencer Laboratory. It isn't the later films, under Wesker, does Umbrella design the Hunter.

    So there it is. My basic outline for the films. I know its a lot to take in. But I want to know what people think of it in its concept. While it doesn't follow the games 100%, I am designing it as a more realistic take on the property that keeps the characters, the themes, and the atmosphere of the original games.
    Last edited by ronin_akikage; 03-29-2013, 02:58 PM.
    Current writing project: Resident Evil: Origins (screenplay)

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    • #3
      Just as a quick afterthought, an alternative way to adapt this would be to combine both seasons of the web series into one season as ORIGINS, and then using the Resident Evil 2 storyline as the season 2, thereby keeping the Raccoon City incident as a backstory. The first film could be a modified Resident Evil 5, where Chris discovers that White Umbrella still exists under Albert Wesker. The second film would be Albert Wesker's counterattack as a modified Resident Evil 6. The final film would see Chris Redfield leading an operation against White Umbrella at their final research facility in Antarctica, and Chris' final showdown with Wesker. With the series done like this, it keeps Raccoon City isolated together as a series, and the films can jump ahead to what the current games are doing, but modified for the story I want to tell. Once again, it just shows alternative ways to adapt the game according to how I'd like to see the storyline progress, and that the ideas I have in mind are not set in stone.
      Current writing project: Resident Evil: Origins (screenplay)

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      • #4
        I'd watch.

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        • #5
          So I guess I can elaborate further on Resident Evil: Origins, both its concept and changes from the game. This using the alternate concept I post after my initial posts, combining both the backstory and the adaptation of the first game.

          Origins will be a 10 episode series meant for Youtube, similar to Mortal Kombat Legacy. Each episode is to have a runtime of 15 minutes, telling a chunk of the overall plot. Origins is based on both the original video game, as well as Biohazard: The Beginning, from the book True Story Behind Biohazard.

          The initial change that I have made is that the events adapted from Biohazard: The Beginning are told with Leon Kennedy as the central character. He is a new rookie officer of the Raccoon Police Department and has been conducting a private investigation into the recent attacks and murders taking place. As this is happening, Raccoon is slowly spiraling out of control. Leon is attempting to locate an informant with information regarding what is happening, which eventually lead him trapped inside a cabin as the undead try to break in. During this, martial law is declared for Raccoon, and the government – partners with Umbrella and fearful that the virus has escaped – sends in the S.T.A.R.S. Unit to get the situation under control. [The idea is that this is only an initial infection, similar to Night of the Living Dead. The city is completely in deep ship yet. That will take a few weeks.]

          The majority of the web series takes place at the Spencer Estate. The S.T.A.R.S. Teams arrive at the deserted mansion. The mansion was originally built and left abandoned due to what newspaper articles described as “structural issues”. The house was declared condemned and boarded up. In reality, it is used as a dormitory for staff of the Raccoon Research Facility.

          Trapt inside the house, the characters are assaulted by the undead scientists. (I've already covered the character story arcs with hints of plot points in the above posts, so I won't elaborate any further on those issues). There are two set pieces for the estate: the abandoned house, and the underground facility which includes both mining cave type tunnels, and concrete rooms.

          Wesker has a larger role in the series. He is constantly appearing and giving updates to the characters, and sometimes patrols with the other members of the team. His purpose is to confuse them and make them start to suspect each other on who the traitor is. Meanwhile, he has Barry Burton destroying evidence of the government's involvement with Umbrella, and attempting to gain entrance into the labs. Wesker's true mission was given to him by the government, who was concerned about their involvement with Umbrella being uncovered. Wesker is confusing the team members to buy himself time to complete an ulterior mission he has: obtaining all the research for White Umbrella, which he eventually intends to control.

          So for monsters, I had to think hard about what monsters would be appropriate. I am revising the properties of the virus itself, so I wanted to have uniformity in the monster design. All the zombies are a by-product of the virus when its inhaled. It is an unstable virus, and while it rejuvenates the host, it also kills them as the same time and decomposes the body as cells burn off. The dogs will be featured, and explained as guard dogs for the mansion grounds.

          I may include the giant spiders in a scene, as a replacement for the giant snake. The spiders have poisoned and cocooned Richard Aiken in webbing, and plan to do the same with the characters...

          The facility houses an abandoned project known as 'Chimera' which of course, are the monsters from the first game. Also included are the man-spider from 1.5, and the Drain Deimos and Brain Sucker from the third game. They are all refered to as Chimeras, just different designs. They have been created through gene splicing, and mutating DNA through use of the T-Virus. All the monsters are down in the labs, and act in a similar way to the xenomorph in Aliens. They come out of vents and pipes and strike from the darkness.

          And of course, the major project here is the Tyrant project. At this point in the game, Tyrant is a failed project, though a facility in France is having better results. Tyrant will be the final enemy in the series, and serves a similar role as he did in the game. One element that will be touched on is that each Tyrant has a CPU impant for 'orders' to be loaded into its brain. The mansion's Tyrant is a failed project due to cancerous tumors growing on its body and its mutating body features. Software was never loaded into it, so its a homicidal monster when awakened.

          At this time, I am still deciding how the story will progress. I can understand why George Romero made some of the decisions for his script, and its enticing to repeat those same decisions in regards to whether S.T.A.R.S. knows earlier in the story about Umbrella's research, and if Wesker is more cooperative in revealing things. Its a great opportunity for Wesker to use misdirection or half-truths to misled the characters, and once they get separated, it allows him to play off events unfolding to confuse them and make them mistrust one another. Its even possible that the team could be under the impression that they are there to secure the site and find information against Umbrella, when Wesker is merely using them as cover for his own means. It really depends on how the story developes, and what is best for the characters and plot.
          Current writing project: Resident Evil: Origins (screenplay)

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          • #6
            Do you have the talent and connections to pull this off?
            Last edited by jam287; 03-29-2013, 09:30 PM.

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            • #7
              For the talent part, well... that's relative. Paul W.S. Anderson believes he has talent. Uwe Boll believes he has talent. So, yes... after studying film for 13 years, I believe I have the talent necessary. I've studied screenwriting, cinematography, a little bit of lighting, art and design, etc. Directing isn't exactly a talent. A director essentially takes all elements of a film and keeps all the different artistic talents (cinematographer, producer, actor, writer, lighting, etc etc) and combines them into his view. A director is responsible for making sure everyone is on the same page, and that the movie gets filmed. But yes, I can do that too.

              As for connections, yes I have that as well. I can't just make a film tomorrow, but I have what is needed to be a packet together (script, storyboard, scene breakdown, etc etc) and then assemble a crew when I'm ready. To shoot the Promo (which is the short film I will sent to Constantin Film) I will be seeking aid from the Kickstarter program to raise money to shoot it. Kickstarter is a great way to fund independent projects, and I don't need much to finance this. Mortal Kombat Rebirth was funded with $15,000 or less. I can get all the basic equipment I need for less than $10,000. What will determine the budget for the promo will be what story I come up with to fill 10 minutes of screen time.

              I can do this. I still have a few years. Paul Anderson still needs to make his last film to complete his RE saga. Then there will probably be a few years for the dust to clear. During this time, I will approach Constantin Film about rebooting the franchise under my vision, present the promo to them along with a 40-50 page outline of what I have planned, and also upload the Promo to Youtube so I can also present them views and comments. As long as I can pitch them a profitable concept...
              Current writing project: Resident Evil: Origins (screenplay)

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              • #8
                Facinating. I am looking forward to this. Keep us updated.

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