The Big Picture This interview was conducted before the SAG-AFTRA Strike.For nearly 30 years, Resident Evil has held a prominent place in the hearts and minds of horror fans. What started as a series of video games soon blossomed into the world of live-action and animated films, television series, and more. In the newest animated Resident Evil movie, Resident Evil: Death Island, D.S.O. agent Leon S. Kennedy is on a mission to rescue Dr.
STEVE WEINTRAUB: Masachika, I'm starting with you. You've been working on the Resident Evil franchise at Capcom for a very long time. What do you think it is about this world and these characters that has resonated with so many people around the world for so long? Makoto, I'm curious, can you talk a little bit about how you came up with the story and setting for this film, and whose decision was it to include all the characters? Because you include so many key characters from the franchise.
I didn't think you were trying to make a comedy, I didn't get that vibe. Matt, I'm gonna ask you, you've been working what do you love about actually the world of Resident Evil and being able to voice this character because as I said earlier, this is a franchise that means so much to so many people. NICOLE TOMPKINS: I mean, it's an absolute unbelievable pleasure. It's a dream come true and a joy. Such an iconic character for so long. So really saying getting to kind of step into the shoes of someone that's been portrayed for so many years and kind of bring myself and my iteration with the trust of an amazing team that brings it to life. It's just truly a pleasure and the fans are unreal. They're just amazing.
MERCER: There's definitely a lot of silly bloopers that we get to experience in the booth and, I guess one thing you might find interesting if you aren't aware, a lot of the combat scenes in here, we're making every grunt, every impact sound, every pain reaction, which is a very physically taxing experience. You may not understand so many of us are very sweaty, very exhausted and very terrifying people to be around by the time we finish a lot of these recording sessions.
Eiichirô, this is a question for you. One of the things about this is you get to play with all these characters that mean so much to so many people. What were the challenges during the production of making sure everyone had screen time and making sure it would honor the franchise?