As if there were any doubt after the project was first announced months ago, Bloody-Disgusting has confirmed that the husband and wife team of Paul W.S. Anderson and Milla Jovovich will once again be reprising their respective roles of writer-director and star for the fifth Resident Evil movie to be released on September 14, 2012 under the title Resident Evil: Retribution. It's news that's as surprising as it is exciting-- if you have an undying love for what may actually be Hollywood's most expensive undead film franchise, you're relieved to hear that Screen Gems aren't handing off directing duties to someone cheaper. If you don't have that love, however, this news might as well read, "More and Same return for More of the Same."
What's interesting, however, is that B-D are also reporting on a few new and returning characters for Retribution. If you'll recall from the final shot of the last film, Afterlife, Anderson wants to bring back the sexiest part of the second film: Jill Valentine. However, according to the outlet's sources, the studio will be replacing original Jill Valentine Sienna Guillory with a new, unidentified model. Why? Who knows, but that's the rumor.
As for more characters, fans of the video game will be glad to see minor S.T.A.R.S. member Barry Burton, he was a small part of the story of the first and third games, integrated into the cinematic fold. More importantly, however, Retribution will finally bring us the big screen debut of Leon Kennedy, the gun-toting hero of RE2 and RE4. Who will play either of these zombie killers is still up in the air, B-D are simply reporting they'll be in the film.
We'll leave that fantasy casting up to you, but off the top of my head I'd like to throw out Game of Thrones' Nikolaj Coster-Waldau for the role of Leon. As for Jill Valentine...I actually hope the rumor ends up not being true and Sienna Guillory returns to rock the iconic (to gamers, at least) mini-skirt and blue tanktop once again.