In a casting move electrifying both gaming and film circles, Antony Starr—renowned for his chilling performance as Homelander in The Boys—has officially signed on to portray Albert Wesker in the upcoming Resident Evil film reboot, directed by Zach Cregger. The announcement follows months of speculation and a viral fan campaign sparked by digital artist BossLogic, whose mock-up of Starr as Wesker ignited widespread excitement across social media. Starr’s vocal passion for the role, combined with the production team’s bold response, has set the stage for what could become a landmark moment in the franchise’s cinematic history.
The momentum began in May 2025, when BossLogic shared an Instagram edit transforming a still from Starr’s action thriller G20 into a Wesker reimagining—slicked-back hair, dark sunglasses, and the villain’s signature cold menace. Tagging the production team and urging, “do it,” the artist caught Starr’s attention, who replied with a simple “I agree.” That response went viral, with fans hailing the idea as “perfect casting” and comparing it to Robert Downey Jr.’s career-defining role as Iron Man. Starr fueled the hype further in an interview, calling Wesker “a dream role—complex, ruthless, charismatic. I told the team to make it happen, and I’m ready to dive in.”
Casting director Sarah Finn sealed the deal in characteristically cheeky fashion, reportedly sending Starr the message: “Homelander, meet Wesker. You’re hired.” The nod to his infamous Boys character delighted fans and confirmed the casting, marking a rare case where grassroots fan energy directly influenced a studio decision. The film, slated for release on September 18, 2026, promises a darker, bloodier tone, with Cregger—best known for Barbarian—steering the project alongside writer Shay Hatten.
Albert Wesker, first introduced in Capcom’s 1996 survival horror classic, is a cornerstone of Resident Evil lore: a duplicitous S.T.A.R.S. captain secretly loyal to Umbrella Corporation, whose experiments with the T-virus unleash apocalyptic horrors. Previous live-action versions—portrayed by Jason O’Mara, Shawn Roberts, Tom Hopper, and the late Lance Reddick—have met mixed receptions. But Starr’s casting has sparked unprecedented enthusiasm, with fans citing his ability to channel Wesker’s mix of charm, menace, and godlike ambition. “Starr’s Homelander is basically Wesker with superpowers,” one fan wrote on X. “He’s got the stare, the voice, the vibe. This is going to be unreal.”
Though plot details remain under wraps, early reports suggest the reboot will lean heavily on the games, focusing on the Raccoon City outbreak and Umbrella’s bioweapon schemes. Alongside Starr, Austin Abrams and Mikey Madison have joined in undisclosed roles, with strong speculation pointing toward Leon S. Kennedy and Jill Valentine. Production begins this summer, shortly after The Boys wraps its fifth and final season—clearing Starr’s schedule for his next potential career-defining role.
Not all reactions have been unreservedly positive; some worry Starr risks typecasting as another charismatic villain. Yet others argue his range—proven in Banshee and G20—makes him ideal for a character as layered as Wesker. Online discourse reflects the split, ranging from ecstatic (“This is the Wesker we’ve been waiting for!”) to cautious (“He’s perfect, but please don’t waste him on a weak script”).
Still, one thing is clear: Starr’s involvement has transformed the reboot from a curiosity into one of the most anticipated game-to-film adaptations in recent memory. If executed with the same precision fans are hoping for, Resident Evil could set a new standard for bringing iconic video game villains to life—and prove that, sometimes, the fans really do know best.
