‘Resident Evil’ Is Bringing Back A Familiar Face, But Is The Red Queen Behind It?

As Resident Evil: The Final Chapter begins filming, there will new teasers and spoilers, but possibly the most exciting news is to hear that a former character is going to be brought back for the final Resident Evil film. Such is the case with the news that Ali Larter will be reprising her role as Claire Redfield.

The character of Claire Redfield was first introduced in the Resident Evil 2 video game, but transitioned into film with Resident Evil: Extinction, the third film in the series. Larter made the character her own, really bringing Claire to life in that film, and Ali must have made an impression because the Redfield character was brought back in the next film, Resident Evil: Afterlife.

While Larter didn’t appear in the most recent Resident Evil: Retribution, Ali has been asked to return for Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, and her appearance creates a degree of mystery regarding what Resident Evil fans can expect from the final film in the series. While Screen Crush is predicting an all out battle royal between zombies and all Resident Evil protagonists, living and dead, that seems a little too obvious and trite.

At this time, there is only a limited synopsis for Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, which is available on the film’s IMDb page.

“Following the events of Resident Evil: Retribution, Project Alice is forced to race against time as the villainous Red Queen attempts to destroy the final remnants of humanity.”

Even this brief summary seems to suggest there will be much more going on in the film than a 90-minute battle. The fact that a “race against time” is central to this plot even at this early stage suggests that there is some quest on behalf of Project Alice, which means Alice (Milla Jovovich) and her allies will similarly be committed to an opposing plot.

The mention of the Red Queen and Project Alice suggests that the Umbrella Corporation is up to its old tricks, and while Ali Larter is returning for Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, it shouldn’t be assumed that Ms. Larter will be playing the Claire Redfield from past Resident Evil films. It seems more likely, considering Ali’s absence from the previous film, that Claire has been captured by the Project Alice, where she was cloned, possibly altered genetically, and sent after the Red Queen’s enemies.

Resident Evil: The Final Chapter begins shooting this summer and at this time has a scheduled January 27, 2017 theatrical release.

[Featured image courtesy of Constantin Film/Resident Evil: Afterlife]