Capcom has hinted that remakes of Resident Evil 5 and 6 will eventually happen, but they are not in active development and are unlikely to release for several years. The company is planning to bring every mainline entry in line with newer games, according to series producer Jun Takeuchi.
Producer's comments on the franchise's future
Speaking in the Japanese magazine Nikkei Entertainment! Biohazard 30th Special, released to celebrate the franchise's 30th anniversary, Takeuchi described Resident Evil as 'being developed along two tracks: the numbered titles allow players to experience the ongoing story of the series, while the remake series allows them to experience the past.'
He added: 'Someday, the remake series will catch up with the era of the numbered titles, and we are already thinking about what we will do when that happens.' The comments were translated and shared by RENews, an X account dedicated to series updates.
Challenges for remaking Resident Evil 5 and 6
Resident Evil 5 is remembered for its co-op but was deemed problematic even in 2009 for its premise of Chris Redfield gunning down hundreds of infected African natives. However, it is an important entry in the series' story, as it features the death of recurring villain Albert Wesker. Resident Evil 6, meanwhile, is criticised for its overemphasis on action and multiplayer, and its story has little impact on the wider mythology.
Takeuchi also discussed Resident Evil 7: biohazard, calling it a 'turning point' for the series. He explained that moments of fan service in that game were received so well that subsequent games offered more overt connections to the rest of the series.
No releases expected for at least five years
According to regular Resident Evil leaker Dusk Golem, remakes of Resident Evil 5 and 6 are not currently in development. 'I think Resident Evil 5 will happen eventually, but it's not happening now as of a few months ago,' he claimed, adding that Capcom's teams are too busy with other projects. He stated: 'I promise you there's not a Resident Evil 5 or Resident Evil 6 remake releasing in the next five years at least.'
With Capcom releasing Resident Evil games yearly, and with Code: Veronica set for 2027, rumoured remakes of Resident Evil 1 and Zero, and the eventual Resident Evil 10, any Resident Evil 5 or 6 remake would likely not appear until the 2030s.
