...it would be interesting to see the original concept, but that's uber-unlikely since RE5 (which is actually the only one from the unholy action trilogy that I kind of like - at least it tried to wrap things up and was serious and dark in tone) took a different direction, especially after it got accused of being racist, which led to Sheva being promoted to co-star and co-op character.
Quite frankly, I have no idea where Capcom wants to go with the remake series: remaking RE4 seems already unnecessary, as it still holds up well technically speaking. And remaking the entire series seems idiotic anyway: what are they going to do, remaking 6 and 7 too? The only one that I would like to see remake is Code: Veronica because it is still a classic-style entry and I love to see the RE2make formula applied to it.
It would be cool if remaking RE4 would mean making a completely different game (possibly, the real 4th entry about Umbrella's downfall we never got to see), thus establishing a new timeline. But that would never happen.
Honestly, a lot of the changes they made to Resident Evil 3 are things I wouldn't mind so much if they were applied to Resident Evil 4. So I agree, a completely different game would be better. But that aside, I think there is plenty of merit to remaking Resident Evil 4 whether they alter the structure and story or not.
Resident Evil 4 was originally developed for the Gamecube before the HD era of gaming and looks rough graphically by today's standards. Even the various remasters don't really do it much justice. The leap from Resident Evil 4 to 5 was huge and something I don't think RE5 gets enough credit for. It seriously still looks great today despite how amazing the RE Engine based games look.
Resident Evil 4 is also a little awkward these days because you control the character with one stick as opposed to the dual analog movement of modern video games. Then there's also the host of improvements to the gameplay and enemy A.I. that have been made since Resident Evil 4's release that could also be applied to it.
I know the idea of remaking Resident Evil 4 hasn't been quite popular, but I really think people are going to change their tune when they see the game in action just like a lot of people did, myself included, when Resident Evil 2 came out. People really are underestimating just how much can and will be improved and just how much the RE Engine will enhance this game's atmosphere and gameplay.
Even if it's a 1 to 1 copy of the original, the game will still look and play better than it ever has with stronger writing and performances that the original would become obsolete and this would be the definitive way to experience this classic game.
Then there's also the fact that this remake will no doubt serve as a follow up to the last 2 remakes, which already connected Nemesis to las plagas and can potentially do more with Leon and Ada as characters as they'll more than likely be the same exact actors and characters we saw in Resident Evil 2.
On a technical level, it is now the worst over the shoulder numbered entry in the series despite its revolutionary, classic, and masterpiece status which is probably why Capcom has prioritized it over Code Veronica. Especially since they're seeing how successful video game remakes have been as of late with not just their own Resident Evil 2 and 3, but with games like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Final Fantasy VII. It's guarenteed money and far less of a gamble.
I just hope Code Veronica will get its day sometime. They already seem to be working out what Wesker will be like on the RE Engine with RE4, and surely they can't leave the audience in the dark about Claire's side of the story after RE2. They've even developed a brand new young Chris model for Dead by Daylight. There's really no reason for them not to do it.