Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City Star Avan Jogia Reveals His Thoughts On A Possible Sequel
Johannes Roberts' "Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City" recently released in theaters, and some, us included, are already pining for a sequel. The latest adaptation of the hit zombie video game franchise is a much more faithful rendition than its predecessor, the "Resident Evil" film franchise that stars Milla Jovovich. Iconic characters from the "Resident Evil" games such as Chris and Claire Redfield (played by Robbie Amell and Kaya Scodelario, respectively), Leon S. Kennedy (Avan Jogia), and Albert Wesker (Tom Hopper) make their debut in "Welcome to Raccoon City" in equally iconic settings, including Spencer Mansion and the Raccoon City Police Department headquarters. The 2021 film dives even deeper into the "Resident Evil" games with specific scenes (like the truck slamming into RCPD, as seen in the trailer) and appearances from minor characters such as Lisa Trevor (Marina Mazepa) and William Birkin (Neil McDonough).
While "Welcome to Raccoon City" provides an excellent introduction to the world of "Resident Evil" for a newer generation, there's still plenty of material to tackle should the new movie get a sequel. According to the "Resident Evil" Fandom page, the franchise spans over 10 games, not including mobile games or non-major releases. With "Welcome to Raccoon City" drawing from the first two Capcom games, there's a ton of different directions a sequel film could go in the future.
Avan Jogia reminds us there's plenty more in store for Leon Kennedy
Recently, "Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City" actor Avan Jogia shared where his character, Leon Kennedy, could be headed in a potential sequel. "Welcome to Raccoon City" sees the RCPD rookie go through quite the journey. At first, he seems like a tired, jaded cop who clocks in for a shift that happens to be scheduled at the wrong time. But, by the end of the film, he gains his confidence and becomes a hero who can wield a rocket launcher.
So, when asked about the future of his character in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jogia seemed happy about playing Leon the first time. He said, "I'm a 15-year vet [of acting], so I know full well the procedures that are in place before anything happens. I think we're just happy to have a film out for the fans that represents the horror aspect of the games a little better — or just at all. So it's nice to get this film out to the people who like 'Resident Evil,' and that's about as far as I've thought even though I love the Leon character." The actor then acknowledged that the "Resident Evil" franchise is one rich with lore for a future film (or films) to explore, remarking that Sony Pictures has "a rich tapestry of stuff to pull from."
The last time we saw Leon, he narrowly escaped the devastation of the Spencer Mansion with the Redfields and Jill Valentine. In the video games, his story continues when he becomes a government agent and is assigned to protect the president's family. Hopefully, we'll get to see Leon's storyline fully fleshed out in possible sequel films, but that's up to the guys at Sony.