Movie adaptions of video games are notorious for changing the story and main characters of their source materials. While they often try to stay somewhat close to the central plot of the game, the Resident Evil film series deviates significantly from the Capcom powerhouse franchise.

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There have been six entries in the film series thus far, with an upcoming Raccoon City film slated for release in late 2021. Although the films include many classic characters from video games, these icons are quite different from their pixelated kin.

10 Nemesis Has A Backstory?

Nemesis is the infamous bio-weapon villain of the third game, a hulking beast in an overcoat who hunts the remaining S.T.A.R.S. members per Umbrella's orders. This goliath isn't much of a character beyond acting as a predator for the game's heroes, but in the movie franchise the Nemesis character is more human than appearances first let on.

The film Nemesis appears in the second movie, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, and is actually a character from the first film, Matt Addison. Addison was infected by a Licker and utilized by Umbrella as a superweapon.

9 Jill Valentine Under Umbrella's Control

In the events of Resident Evil 5, Jill Valentine has fallen under the control of Albert Wesker, much to the surprise of Chris Redfield who thought she died in a fight against him years earlier. She and Chris duke it out in the game through a legendary boss battle, but in the movie series, Jill is actually on the hunt for the main characters.

Controlled by Umbrella through a hypnotic chest device similar to one in the game, Jill fights against Ada Wong, Claire Redfield, and series protagonist, Alice; not just her former partner whom she has little contact with in the films.

8 Carlos & Jill Have The Infected Role Switched

During the events of Resident Evil 3, Jill is infected by the T-virus and is incapacitated, leaving her life in the hands of Carlos Oliveira to find a vaccine.

In the film, the wounded roles reverse and Carlos is the one who is bitten after an attack from a former partner turned zombie. Jill and Alice must secure a cure for Carlos before he turns into an undead mutant.

7 Claire Redfield Skips Raccoon City

While Claire Redfield might not have been in the film franchise's version of Raccoon City before its destruction, she still harbors a deep hatred for the Umbrella Corp.

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Claire made her debut in Resident Evil 2, where she fought through Raccoon City's zombie invasion alongside Leon S. Kennedy. However, in the films, she is established as a convoy leader who works to save lives in the post-zombie apocalypse world.

6 Chris Redfield Is Pretty Different Too

Chris Redfield has a completely different backstory as well. The film version of Chris is still a soldier, although not in the bioterrorism division. Rather, Chris is a United States military soldier who is found trapped in a prison after the undead revolt gets out of hand.

Chris remains a central figure in the latter half of the film series and, of course, reunites with his sister to kick some butt.

5 Albert Wesker Has A Different Backstory Too

The film franchise version of Albert Wesker looks exactly like his video game counterpart and acts identically to him as well. A lot of his backstory was shaved off for the films, skipping his tutelage under Umbrella and role as a S.T.A.R.S. member.

As opposed to the video game version, film Wesker is quite loyal to Umbrella, even becoming Chairman of the company. Of course, he is still as obsessed with world domination as he always is.

4 Wesker Also Has New Arch-Enemies

Albert Wesker is a man of many enemies, but he will always be known for his intense hatred of Chris Redfield. Chris and Albert have a fight scene in the film series, but Wesker's true rival is the protagonist and manufactured clone, Alice.

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The two are always at each other's throats despite thin alliances, even getting to the point that Wesker tries to eat Alice to gain her T-virus powers.

3 Leon & Ada Have A Complicated Relationship

Very little is known about Leon S. Kennedy's backstory in the film franchise, but one thing is certain: Leon and Ada share some past history. Leon is completely different in the movies, acting as a mercenary hired by Wesker to save Alice from an underwater Umbrella facility.

Ada Wong is a member of the same team, even wearing an outfit similar to her garments in Resident Evil 4. Leon and Ada still have an unsteady relationship despite their different characterizations, largely due to the latter's unyielding allegiance to Umbrella.

2 Leon S. Kennedy & Barry Burton?

An unlikely match-up for most fans of the games, Leon and Barry are both mercenary squad members in the film series.

The two are described as close friends and partners in crime. This might come as a surprise considering they only met once in the Resident Evil gaming universe, specifically in the Game Boy Color exclusive, Resident Evil Gaiden. 

1 James Marcus Isn't Such A Bad Guy

Fans of the games know James Marcus as one of the Umbrella scientists who created the T-virus, setting the stage for the rest of the franchise's events. Marcus returns in Resident Evil Zero as a reanimated leech monster seeking revenge on Umbrella for murdering him years earlier and stealing his research.

The game's James Marcus is a cold and cynical man who goes far beyond ethical research, but the film's version couldn't be more different. This Marcus discovers the T-virus while attempting to find a disease cure for his daughter, although Umbrella finds more use in the virus as a weapon and does away with the gentle Dr. Marcus.

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