Chandler Riggs directs Resident Evil 7 fan short, defends showing Ethan's face
Chandler Riggs, known for playing Carl on The Walking Dead, directed and starred in a 20-minute Resident Evil 7 fan film about the garage fight between Ethan Winters and Jack Baker. Riggs chose to show Ethan's face, departing from the games' first-person perspective, and said he debated whether to keep it hidden. He admitted that satisfying every fan is impossible but hoped viewers would accept the decision.
Chandler Riggs, formerly Carl on The Walking Dead, directed and appeared in a 20-minute Resident Evil 7 fan short. It recreates the Baker bayou garage confrontation between Ethan Winters and infected Jack Baker. Riggs chose to reveal Ethan's face, unlike the first-person games, and said he weighed keeping it hidden. He acknowledged that no adaptation can satisfy every viewer but hoped audiences would accept the choice.
He also discussed Zach Cregger's upcoming Resident Evil film, suggesting adaptations can attract newcomers and tell desired stories. Riggs said he long wanted a faithful live-action version and looked forward to Cregger's movie. The short's crew tried to release before Cregger's film, but timing did not work out.
This fan short may influence how some Resident Evil fans view live-action adaptations, especially those attached to Ethan's unseen identity. Showing his face could make the story more accessible to newcomers while risking frustration among purists. Riggs's comments may also encourage other fan filmmakers to prioritize broader storytelling over strict game fidelity. The debate could add to wider conversations about how much creative license adaptations should take when translating first-person games to film.