When the eponymous first film based on Capcom's Resident Evil games hit theaters in 2002, it was a moderate success. Though largely panned by critics, the medium-budget sci-fi horror thriller did well at the box office, earning under $40 million. Its sequel, 2004's Resident Evil: Apocalypse, did even better, pulling in just over $50 million.

Hoping to wring more money from the franchise---the second-highest-earning game-based film series, after Tomb Raider--the production company behind the Resident Evil films has plans for two more. Today's Hollywood Reporter reports that Germany-based Constantin Film AG is already laying the groundwork for a fourth Resident Evil movie. Little is known about the film other than it will take place in Tokyo and it will be shot on location in Japan.

The move is surprising, given that shooting hasn't begun on the third chapter in the series, currently titled Resident Evil: Afterlife. Indeed, according to the reporter, Afterlife is in the midst of a shake-up, with the recent announcement that production is moving to Australia.

No director has signed onto Afterlife, which is based on a script written by British director Paul W. S. Anderson (Mortal Kombat, Alien vs. Predator), who directed the first Resident Evil. Though she hasn't signed a contract yet, Anderson's wife, supermodel-actress Milla Jovovich, is reportedly set to reprise her role as Alice, the series' gun-toting heroine.

In the first Resident Evil, Alice fought her way out of the zombie-infested labs of the Umbrella Corporation, only to have to cope with a ghoul-overrun metropolis in Apocalypse. Afterlife will follow her into the Southwestern American desert (played by the Aussie outback), where Alice will blast still more chemically animated undead before fleeing the continent. It is tentatively set for a release sometime in 2006.

The latest chapter in the Resident Evil game series, Resident Evil 4, is one of the highest-rated titles currently available for the GameCube. A PlayStation 2 version is due out later in the year.

Resident Evil still scares on Nintendo DS

Capcom's Resident Evil: Deadly Silence for the Nintendo DS is a solid adaptation of the 10-year-old classic. The survival horror mechanics and enhancements make it a perfect handheld title to re-scare veterans and new fans.

Deadly Silence includes a Classic Mode to play the game in is original form, or Rebirth Mode to fight more zombies, solve new touch or mic puzzles, and play short first-person slashing segments via stylus.

New game mechanics from recent entries find their way in the remake. Players can perform instant reloads, 180 degree quick turns, and instant knife access with new top and bottom slash actions.

Unfortunately some new mechanics like dropping items, combining new items to save an inventory slot, and ink ribbons to save have not been changed in the remake.

The Rebirth Mode is fun and features many more zombie encounters than the original. The touch screen puzzles, while different, aren't necessarily better with their lack of challenge. Though using the microphone to perform CPR on a near-dead S.T.A.R.S. member is fantastic; blow too much air into his lungs and he starts spurting blood.

Resident Evil holds up well on the Nintendo DS. The character models have been simplified but are textured enough to look like their original counterparts. The only drawbacks are compressed backgrounds and blood that looks more like confetti.

The game includes two wireless multiplayer modes as a bonus: versus and cooperative. In versus, players compete to escape a level with the most points, and in co-op players help each other to escape. The multiplayer is a great addition, though it requires each player to own the game.

Resident Evil: Deadly Silence is a solid offering for the Nintendo DS. The game can still scare veterans after 10 years and plays well in short or long spurts of blood