We need to discuss Brandon Salisbury’s new documentary “George A. Romero’s Resident Evil“. It’s not just another story about missed chances; it’s a brilliant exploration of how Hollywood can misunderstand both gaming culture and the horror genre. There’s a lot to consider here.
The Father of Zombies and His Legacy
First off, George A. Romero is a must-mention when discussing zombies. This man didn’t just shape the modern zombie genre; he created a cultural movement that endures to this day.
When Resident Evil (known as Biohazard in Japan) debuted in 1996, it wasn’t merely paying tribute to Romero; it was building its entire foundation on his work.
The documentary reveals how Shinji Mikami, the mind behind Resident Evil, was crafting a heartfelt tribute to Romero’s films.
The tight spaces, the slow-building tension, and the social themes wrapped in horror were all there. You can see where Romero’s “Dawn of the Dead” inspired not just the zombies’ movements but also the focus on survival rather than pure action.
The film even includes critical moments where Mikami clearly states, “Without Romero’s films, there would be no Resident Evil.” This isn’t an exaggeration; it’s the truth.
The Game-Changing Commercial
Things take an exciting turn here. Capcom, showing more wisdom than many companies, hired Romero to direct a commercial for Resident Evil 2.
Picture this: It’s 1998, and Resident Evil is riding high off its first game’s success. Capcom’s sitting on a goldmine, but here’s the genius part – they actually understand why their game works. Instead of just throwing money at some random commercial director, they go straight to the source. They call Romero.
This live-action ad cost almost a million dollars in the late 1990s. The documentary features unseen behind-the-scenes clips of Romero directing Brad Renfro, effectively turning it into a mini horror film.
The commercial was a hit, and this is where the journey should have begun. Instead, it all went off the rails.
The Corporate Roadblock for Romero
Meet the real villain: Constantine Films, the German company that held the movie rights.
Through interviews with former executives and leaked memos, the documentary shows how they completely missed what Romero wanted and what made Resident Evil tick.
Romero’s script drafts, which are discussed at length, reveal his vision for something groundbreaking. He wasn’t just thinking about zombies in a mansion—he imagined a deep dive into corporate wrongdoing, government cover-ups, and human survival.
The Umbrella Corporation was going to serve as a mirror reflecting our world’s issues with big pharma and corporate greed.
Here’s the twist: Romero’s perspective on Resident Evil was ahead of its time. His ideas about corporate manipulation, government deception, and health crises feel like they belong in today’s world, not the late ’90s.
The documentary features commentators and theorists explaining how Romero’s unmade version seems to predict conversations we’re having now about trust in institutions and corporate responsibility.
The Japanese Perspective
One of the doc’s highlights is its thorough look at the Japanese side of the story. We hear from:
- Kenichi Iwao (Original Game Writer)
- Shinji Mikami (Series Creator)
- Various Capcom executives from that time
- Charlie Kraslavsky (Actor from the game’s cut scenes)
Their stories show how the Japanese team viewed Romero’s involvement as a full-circle moment—a master returning to guide those who learned from him.
The Blueprint for Success
The documentary also uncovers Romero’s actual script treatments, and they are simply captivating. We see:
- A first act that mirrors the game’s mansion segment but with richer character development.
- Practical effects plans that would have rivaled “The Thing.”
- Detailed storyboards outlining how Romero intended to depict iconic moments from the game.
- A more layered version of the Umbrella Corporation’s conspiracy.
Now, no offense to Paul W.S. Anderson, but his Resident Evil films are like fast food compared to Romero’s vision of fine dining. The documentary openly compares Anderson’s action-driven approach to Romero’s psychological horror plan. While Anderson’s films were financially successful, they changed the essence of what Resident Evil was about.
Relevance Today
This documentary arrives at a time when:
- Adaptations like “The Last of Us” show that faithful adaptations can work.
- Discussions about corporate ethics and medical practices dominate the news.
- The lines between entertainment and social commentary are increasingly blurred.
Romero’s unmade Resident Evil feels less like an abandoned project and more like a missed chance for something great.
Behind the Scenes of the Documentary
Brandon Salisbury’s direction deserves praise. He brings together:
- Unseen footage from Romero’s commercial shoot.
- New insights from industry veterans.
- Archival materials from both Capcom and Constantin Films.
- Analysis from experts in horror and game design.
Legacy and Influence
The documentary wraps up by looking at how this missed chance has shaped both gaming and film:
- The evolution of adaptations from games to films.
- How Romero’s later work reflected his experience with Resident Evil.
- The lasting impact of his zombie philosophy on today’s horror.
- The shifting landscape of horror gaming.
My Final Thoughts
“George A. Romero’s Resident Evil” isn’t just about a film that never got made; it’s an important chapter in both gaming and horror history that shows how corporate thinking can stifle creativity.
It’s currently available to stream, and if you care about horror, gaming, or the clash between art and commercial interests, you should watch it.
This is not just about what might have been; it’s about what should have been and the loss caused by short-sighted executives who chose safe profits over artistic expression.
As we start to see more faithful game adaptations, this documentary serves as a cautionary tale and a challenge for filmmakers: sometimes, the person best suited for the job is the one who inspired it to begin with.
It’s more than just another zombie tale; it’s a story about the fear of corporate decisions that still haunt us today. And maybe that’s the most frightening story of all.
