In a casting decision that has sent shockwaves through the gaming and film communities, Antony Starr, best known for his chilling portrayal of Homelander in The Boys, has officially signed on to play the iconic villain Albert Wesker in the upcoming Resident Evil film reboot, directed by Zach Cregger. Starr’s confirmation follows months of fervent fan speculation and a viral campaign spearheaded by digital artist BossLogic, whose mock-up of Starr as Wesker ignited widespread excitement. The actor’s vocal enthusiasm for the role, coupled with a bold response from the film’s casting team, has set the stage for what could be a defining moment in the Resident Evil franchise’s cinematic history.

The announcement came after Starr publicly expressed his eagerness to embody Wesker, the cold, calculating antagonist from Capcom’s legendary video game series. In May 2025, BossLogic posted a striking image on Instagram, transforming a still from Starr’s recent action thriller G20 to depict him as Wesker, complete with slicked-back hair, dark sunglasses, and a menacing aura. Captioning the post with a call to “do it,” BossLogic tagged the Resident Evil production team, urging them to cast Starr. The actor responded with a succinct “I agree,” fueling fan support and prompting thousands of comments on platforms like X, where users hailed the casting as “perfect” and “RDJ-level iconic.” Starr doubled down in a later interview, stating, “Wesker’s a dream role—complex, ruthless, charismatic. I told the team to make it happen, and I’m ready to dive in.”

The Resident Evil team, led by Cregger and writer Shay Hatten, didn’t hesitate. In a bold and cheeky response to Starr’s public campaign, casting director Sarah Finn reportedly sent a message to the actor: “Homelander, meet Wesker. You’re hired.” The playful nod to Starr’s The Boys character delighted fans and confirmed his casting, marking a rare instance of fan-driven momentum directly influencing a major studio decision. The film, set for release on September 18, 2026, is already generating buzz for its promise of a darker, gorier take on the franchise, with Cregger’s horror credentials from Barbarian raising expectations for a faithful yet innovative adaptation.

Wesker, introduced in the original 1996 Resident Evil game, is a cornerstone of the series’ lore—a duplicitous S.T.A.R.S. captain secretly aligned with the Umbrella Corporation, whose experiments with the T-virus unleash chaos. Previous live-action portrayals by Jason O’Mara, Shawn Roberts, Tom Hopper, and the late Lance Reddick have varied in reception, with fans often citing Roberts’ turn in the Paul W.S. Anderson films as a high point. Starr’s casting, however, has sparked unmatched enthusiasm, with many praising his ability to channel Wesker’s blend of charm, menace, and god-complex megalomania. “Starr’s Homelander is basically Wesker with superpowers,” one X user posted. “He’s got the stare, the voice, the vibe. This is going to be unreal.”

While plot details remain under wraps, the reboot is rumored to draw heavily from the games, focusing on the Raccoon City outbreak and Umbrella’s bioweapon experiments. Alongside Starr, the cast includes Austin Abrams and Mikey Madison in undisclosed roles, with speculation that they could play Leon S. Kennedy and Jill Valentine. Filming is slated to begin this summer, aligning with the wrap of The Boys’ fifth and final season, freeing Starr for the project. The timing has fueled optimism that the reboot will deliver a fresh yet faithful take, avoiding the pitfalls of 2021’s Welcome to Raccoon City, which struggled to balance game accuracy with broad appeal.

The casting has not been without debate. Some fans, while thrilled, worry Starr risks typecasting as another villain, given his Homelander role. Others argue his versatility—seen in Banshee and G20—makes him ideal for Wesker’s layered persona. On X, sentiments range from ecstatic (“This is the Wesker we’ve been waiting for!”) to cautious (“He’s perfect, but the script better not waste him”). Regardless, Starr’s involvement has elevated the reboot’s profile, positioning it as a potential franchise cornerstone. As Hollywood grapples with adapting video games, this Resident Evil reboot, with Starr’s Wesker at its core, could redefine how iconic characters are brought to life, proving that sometimes, the fans know best.