New Resident Evil Movie Reveals A Long-Awaited Return

The "Resident Evil" film series doesn't exactly tie in with the games that share its name. However, outside of these bombastic Hollywood action movies, certain animated films do have a direct correlation with the "Resident Evil" canon. Thus far, this list includes "Degeneration," "Damnation," and "Vendetta" with the newest film, "Death Island," set to premiere this summer. While fans of the video game series are sure to be excited for any new content involving their favorite horror property, "Death Island" will be extra special given it marks the comeback of one of the franchise's most iconic characters.

Longtime fans of "Resident Evil" are quite familiar with Jill Valentine. Once the partner of series mainstay Chris Redfield, Valentine no longer appeared as a main character following her possible death at the end of "Resident Evil 3: Nemesis." However, it is later discovered that she is alive in "Resident Evil 5," though infected with the Tyrant Virus. With the exception of the "Resident Evil 3" remake, the character has largely been missing from the mainline "Resident Evil" media. However, as seen in the film's teaser trailer, Valentine will return in "Death Island."

In the 30-second "Resident Evil: Death Island" teaser trailer, Valentine appears briefly at the end in a shooting range. This could signify Valentine's first significant appearance in the series since "Resident Evil: Revelations 2." Since then, the franchise has largely pivoted away from Valentine's arc and has instead focused on Chris Redfield.

Jill Valentine's return in "Resident Evil: Death Island" elicited very positive feedback from longtime fans of the series who have pined for her reintroduction. On Twitter, content creator Suzi Hunter could hardly contain herself when it came to Jill reemerging in the "Resident Evil" universe. Hunter also pointed out that the 30-second spot teased appearances from Chris Redfield, Leon Kennedy, and Rebecca Chambers as well. "Resident Evil" fans on Reddit also went ballistic over Valentine's appearance in the trailer, though some were a bit skeptical about her possible return.

As pointed out by one Redditor, Jill is shown to have hardly gotten older since her last canonical appearance in the franchise. One user suspected this could be indicative of her inclusion being a flashback sequence. However, another made the argument that her T-virus antibodies could provide a positive effect on physical aging. Regardless, Jill Valentine will appear in "Resident Evil: Death Island" in some capacity.