AMC’s smash-hit television series The Walking Dead and Capcom’s beloved survival horror game Resident Evil 7: Biohazard have experienced a surprise unofficial crossover, thanks to Walking Dead star Chandler Riggs releasing a fan film adaptation of RE7. The actor and filmmaker has long been recognized by TV audiences as an icon of zombie pop culture, and his brand-new project has sparked the interest of Resident Evil fans who have long been asking for a direct adaptation of one of the franchise’s games.
When The Walking Dead first debuted on AMC in October 2010, audiences were introduced to a post-apocalyptic world filled with undead threats, dangerous factions, and tense character developments. The series quickly skyrocketed in popularity, pushing actors like Chandler Riggs, who played Carl Grimes in the horror drama, to the forefront of zombie-related media. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard experienced a similar positive reception from critics and audiences in 2017, with many longtime horror fans praising the title as one of the most terrifying Resident Evil games. Now, in 2026, the two massive franchises are combining, all thanks to Chandler Riggs’ latest fan film.
Walking Dead Star Chandler Riggs Adapts Resident Evil 7 into a Live Action Film
On October 14, Chandler Riggs released a live-action short film adaptation of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, which focuses on the beginning section of the game when Ethan Winters first awakens at the Baker family’s dinner table and attempts to escape and find his missing wife, Mia. Riggs stars as Winters while his fellow former Walking Dead cast mate, Jason Douglas, portrays the terrifying family patriarch, Jack Baker. Douglas originally starred as Tobin in the AMC series, and this Resident Evil 7: Biohazard fan flick marks the first time that Douglas and Riggs have starred in a project together post-Walking Dead. Early reactions to the short film have praised its near 1-to-1 adaptation of Resident Evil 7, with Riggs earning applause for finally putting a face to Ethan Winters and Douglas receiving high marks for adding a horrific realism to one of the best villains in the Resident Evil franchise.
Players will immediately recognize every story and gameplay beat from Resident Evil 7 brought fully to life in Chandler Riggs’ fan film. From the dinner scene and initial police encounter to the garage battle between Ethan and Jack, Riggs’ production grants longtime Resident Evil fans something that they have been begging for over the years: a direct adaptation of a game. Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil film has been well-received at the box office, and even the older Milla Jovovich Resi movies have built up a cult following, but some fans have lamented the lack of a true 1-to-1 silver screen retelling of a Resident Evil story. As such, it is perhaps to be expected that Riggs’ Biohazard short is already drawing overwhelming support on YouTube and social media.
The popularity of video game adaptations in Hollywood has certainly evolved leaps and bounds in recent years. Many older fans may recall the historically negative reception between fans and cinephiles alike whenever a video game adaptation was announced in the late 90s and throughout the 2000s. However, the success of the Sonic the Hedgehog films and television shows like HBO’s The Last of US and Amazon Prime’s Fallout have driven a notable resurgence of interest among big-name studios to bring games to life in new ways. Chandler Riggs’ recreation of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is just one example of a fan film giving the community what it has long wanted, and the sheer number of upcoming video game adaptations could further provide gamers with even more entertainment to look forward to.
- Released
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January 24, 2017
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, In-Game Purchases
