Chandler Riggs makes Resident Evil 7 fan film and wants a sequel
The world of horror adaptation is a fascinating place, where beloved video game moments meet the high-stakes reality of the big screen. Chandler Riggs, best known for his role as Carl in The Walking Dead, recently stepped into the director’s chair for his own take on the franchise, adapting an iconic moment from Resident Evil 7: Biohazard for a fan film.
This personal project, which explored the intense garage fight between Ethan Winters and Jack Baker, was born purely out of a love for the source material, rather than a desire for fame. Riggs sought to bring that specific, high-octane scene to life, driven by the pure joy of adaptation.
The timing of Riggs’ film coincided with the release of Zach Cregger’s live-action adaptation of Resident Evil, which performed incredibly well at the box office. However, this successful film also sparked a divide among dedicated fans who craved a more faithful, 1:1 cinematic experience of the games.
As Riggs navigated the process of filming, he reflected on the challenges of translating game lore into live-action. He admitted that adapting the character of Ethan Winters, whose face is central to his film, was intimidating. There was a constant push and pull between staying true to the game’s essence and making the narrative accessible to a wider audience.
Riggs found himself questioning traditional filmmaking rules—whether to use first-person perspectives or avoid showing the character’s face. He felt compelled to break established conventions if he wanted to tell the story in a way that resonated with more people, acknowledging that pleasing everyone is an impossible task.
Despite the artistic challenges, the experience was ultimately rewarding. Riggs emphasized that the greatest satisfaction came from collaborating with talented people and being on set, reaffirming his deep appreciation for the creative process.
Riggs remains a massive enthusiast of the Resident Evil universe, and his fan film serves as powerful proof of the desire for deeper engagement with the franchise. He expressed a strong wish to collaborate with director Zach Cregger on another installment of the series.
Though Cregger has stated he is done with franchise films, he is reportedly already exploring ideas for a sequel, keeping the future of the Resident Evil cinematic universe open and intriguing.
The fan film itself featured a talented ensemble cast, including Chandler Riggs, Jason Douglas, Mary Rachel Quinn, Eugenie Bonderant, Johnathan O’Niel, and Sam Coyles, successfully capturing the tension and atmosphere of the original horror experience.
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