It’s too late forMilla Jovovichto return to her biggest franchise,Resident Evil- but her next monster movie could launch a new series for her. Jovovich became one of the biggest action stars of the 2000s due to the success oftheResident Evilmovies. Despite being based on the bestselling video games of the same name, the films took the story in averydifferent direction. Jovovich fronted six entries, signing off with 2017’sResident Evil: The Final Chapter.
TheResident Evilmovies grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide(viaThe Numbers) - despite most of them receiving roundly terrible reviews. There have been two live-action attempts to reboot the property since Jovovich hung up Alice’s zombie-slaying gear; 2021 movieWelcome to Raccoon Cityand Netflix’sResident EvilTV series from 2022. Neither effort led to sequels, butBarbariandirector Zach Cregger has closed a deal to write and direct a new film reboot that’s expected to arrive in 2026.
Milla Jovovich Hasn’t Had A Great Action Movie In 28 Years & I’m Desperate For Another After Her Latest Disappointment
Milla Jovovich’s latest movie unfortunately hasn’t been able to break the rough streak her projects have been experiencing in the past few years.
The Resident Evil Reboot Means Milla Jovovich Can’t Return To Her Biggest Franchise
Cregger’s Resident Evil will start from scratch
Jovovich’s finalResident Evilwas the highest-grossing of the series, proving there was still (un)life in the saga. Unfortunately, many of Jovovich’s follow-up projects haven’t garnered much interest, with her other Capcom video game adaptation,Monster Hunter, failing to recoup its budget in 2020.The Final Chaptermay have provided a finale for Alice, but it made sure to leave the door open for her potential returnin the future. Jovovich has also expressed interest in a comeback, but Cregger taking over the franchise means that won’t happen.
With the end of Resident Eviland the failure of Monster Hunter, Milla Jovovich hasn’t found her new series yet.
The newResident Evilwill be a total rebootthat has nothing to do with the Jovovich eraand will skew toward the horror tone of the original games. Presumably, there is hope Cregger’s film will lead to more sequels, but even if it doesn’t, the reboot will prevent Jovovich from returning as Alice for the foreseeable future.
Franchises can provide a nice security blanket for actors, as they can always return for another sequel if their other projects don’t work out. With the end ofResident Eviland the failure ofMonster Hunter, Jovovich hasn’t found her new series yet. In terms of box office, a return as Alice wouldn’t hurt the actor’s profile, but that’s not on the table right now.
World Breaker Could Become Milla Jovovich’s Next Monster Slaying Franchise
World Breaker will find Jovovich monster hunting once again
Jovovich has a few projects on the horizon, including sci-fi epicWorld Breaker. This involves two parents (Jovovich and Luke Evans) who hide their teenage daughter on an island after creatures from another world breakthrough into Earth. This girl is also being hidden so she can avoid conscription into an all-female army that is tasked with fighting the monsters (viaDeadline). It sounds like Billie Boullet’s Willa will beWorld Breaker’smain character, but Evans and Jovovich will still be playing major supporting parts.
2002
36%
2004
18%
2007
24%
2010
21%
2012
28%
2017
38%
2021
30%
2022
53%
The film is being helmed by Brad Anderson, director ofThe Machinist, cult classicSession 9and 2024’sThe Silent Hour.It might not be based on any existing property, but it feels likeWorld Breakerhas real franchise potential. It’s got a solid hook, a great cast and a talented filmmaker; the sight of Jovovich battling creatures in the trailer won’t hurt its box-office chances either.
In the Lost Landsmarks the ninth movie Milla Jovovich has made with her writer/director husband, Paul W.S. Anderson.
Assuming her character lives to fight another day,World Breakercould become Jovovich’s next monster franchise. In this case, it sounds like Milla’s character will be passing the baton to a new generation, but she could easily feature in multiple sequels if the film is a hit.
Milla Jovovich’s World Breaker Must Break Her Post-Resident Evil Slump
In The Lost Lands bombed hard
Jovovich’s involvement withResident Evilwas a double-edged sword. The films were big hits, but they were also critically reviled and prevented her from appearing in other kinds of projects. There was hope she would find success outside of Alice, but since 2017, Jovovich’s career has been in a slump.Monster Hunterunderperformed and her latest project with husband Paul W.S. Anderson,In The Lost Lands, was a true box office disaster.This George R.R. Martin adaptation ended up grossing $3 million worldwide on a budget of $55 million(viaThe Numbers).
Jovovich’s other credits sinceThe Final Chapterinclude 2019’sHellboyreboot and the lambasted sci-fi thrillerBreathe. Jovovich has been on a bad run of late, butWorld Breakercould be the project to break that cycle. If anything, it’s a more exciting option than pumping out anotherResident Evilsequel, and there are simply too many cool people attached toWorld Breakerfor it not to be worth a look. Whether that leads to a new franchise is another question entirely.
Source:The Numbers,Deadline,Rotten Tomatoes,The Numbers
Resident Evil
“Resident Evil” is a survival horror franchise that originated as a video game series before expanding into films, animated movies, TV shows, comics, and novels. The franchise focuses on the outbreak of a deadly virus developed by the Umbrella Corporation, leading to a global apocalypse filled with zombies and other mutated creatures. Known for its tense atmosphere, intricate puzzles, and engaging storylines, “Resident Evil” has become one of the most successful and influential franchises in both gaming and horror entertainment.
World-Breaker
Cast
Set in a reality where inter-dimensional creatures threaten humanity, World-Breaker follows a father’s quest to protect his daughter on an isolated island. As apocalyptic events unfold, they prepare for survival, confronting the harsh realities of a world on the brink of collapse.
