Resident Evil: Raccoon City 2 Could Feature Barry Burton From Video Game

Johannes Roberts indicates that a Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City sequel could feature Barry Burton from the Capcom video game franchise. The 47 Meters Down filmmaker becomes the latest to try their hand at adapting the survival horror series for the big screen, with Paul W.S. Anderson first bringing the games to the screen with the Milla Jovovich-led Resident Evil films. Though poorly received by critics, the six films were financial hits, bringing in over $1.2 billion for Sony Pictures to become the highest-grossing zombie franchise of all time.

Unlike Anderson’s films, Roberts’ Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City takes a more faithful approach to adapting the video games, combining the stories of Resident Evil 1 and 2 into one. The cast for the film includes the characters from the games, namely Kaya Scodelario’s Claire Redfield, Robbie Amell’s Chris Redfield, Avan Jogia’s Leon S. Kennedy, Hannah John-Kamen’s Jill Valentine and Tom Hopper’s Albert Wesker. Despite this attention to accuracy for Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, some fans noticed the lack of one key character from the original game.

Roberts recently spoke with ComicBook.com‘s Comic Book Nation to discuss Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City and the thoughts for a potential sequel. When posed with the question of Barry’s absence from the first film, the writer/director revealed there were talks to include him in the film and seemingly indicates that the S.T.A.R.S. veteran will appear in a follow-up. See what Roberts said below:

“And then Barry, there is a good nod to the Barry world. There were assertions of Barry in the script. Do you know I have no idea what I’m allowed to say and what I’m not allowed to say. This isn’t really spoiler territory. Barry’s not in the movie. I’m sorry Barry fans. But there’s some funny … Barry’s consciously not in the movie. We had discussions. Barry’s going to have his time is all I will say. You don’t need to worry about Barry. He’s waiting in the wings.”

The omission of Barry Burton from Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City was certainly indicated throughout the marketing for the film, with Chad Rook’s Richard Aiken and Wesker taking his place from the first Resident Evil game as Jill’s partner in the Spencer Mansion. Given the film left out the giant snake Yawn, save for a sneaky reference to the venomous reptile, and somewhat minimized Jill’s importance to the story, it makes sense that Barry would ultimately not make the cut for the script. Those familiar with the Resident Evil games, however, are well-aware Barry’s time in the franchise wasn’t solely relegated to the first Resident Evil, as his story was further expanded with Resident Evil: Revelations 2.

Despite Burton’s absence from Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, the more positive reviews towards the film have largely praised the film’s faithfulness to the games, an element audiences have also responded to favorably. Those who have taken to enjoying the reboot are eager to see where Roberts could take the franchise next as the writer/director has recently expressed his desires to bring the stories of Resident Evil — Code: Veronica and Resident Evil 4 to the screen. Only time will tell how audiences continue responding to the film with Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City now in theaters.

Source: ComicBook.com

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Grant Hermanns
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Grant Hermanns is a News Writer, Interviewer and Hiring Manager for Screen Rant, having joined the team in early 2021. Way back in 2015 while still in his college days, Grant got his start in the entertainment journalism industry with creator-friendly site Moviepilot until it shuttered nearly three years later. From there he joined the staff at ComingSoon.net and was its Associate Editor prior to coming over to Screen Rant.

To say he’s a lover of film and television would be an understatement and when he’s not mass consuming either you can find him exploring the world of Dungeons & Dragons with friends or slowly making his way through his gaming backlog.

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