Bernd Eichinger
The German producer who brought *Resident Evil: Afterlife* to the big screen.
via Wikipedia: Bernd Eichinger · see source
Bernd Eichinger was a German film producer, screenwriter, and director. He produced many acclaimed films through Constantin Film, including *Downfall*. One of his last films was about the left-wing terrorist group Red Army Faction (RAF) and based on the book *Der Baader Meinhof Komplex* by Stefan Aust. The range of genres of films he produced was unusually varied, including a 3D zombie movie, *Resident Evil: Afterlife*. He was an incredibly prolific film maker, with almost 100 films to his credit.
- Role
- Executive Producer
- Affiliation
- Constantin Film
- Status
- Deceased
- Nationality
- German
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Bernd Eichinger's career spanned decades and genres, from the historical drama *Downfall* to the 3D zombie action of *Resident Evil: Afterlife*. He was known as tenacious, once spending 20 years convincing author Patrick Süskind to trust him with the film rights to *Perfume: The Story of a Murderer*, which was released in 2006 and grossed $135 million worldwide. In the 1980s, he obtained the film rights to the Fantastic Four and Silver Surfer, decades before Marvel movies became popular. He was chairman of the supervisory board of Constantin Film as of 2005 and still owned a substantial stake in the company. Eichinger died of a heart attack in Los Angeles on 24 January 2011 during dinner with family and friends. He was 61.
In Their Own Story
Bernd Eichinger's involvement with the Resident Evil franchise is documented through his production of *Resident Evil: Afterlife*, a 3D zombie movie. This film was part of his unusually varied filmography, which ranged from literary adaptations like *Atomised* (based on a novel by Michel Houellebecq) to blockbuster horror. Eichinger's career was marked by his role at Constantin Film, which he joined in 1979 by buying a stake and becoming executive director, eventually evolving it into one of the most successful German film businesses. His independent productions, such as *Downfall*, showed his range beyond the Constantin umbrella.
Reader's Guide
Bernd Eichinger was a German film producer, screenwriter, and director born in Neuburg an der Donau on 11 April 1949. He attended the University of Television and Film Munich in the 1970s. In 1979, he bought a stake in Neue Constantin Film and became its executive director, later serving as chairman of the supervisory board as of 2005. He co-founded Summit, the Los Angeles-based production and film sales company, in 1991. Eichinger produced *Resident Evil: Afterlife*, a 3D zombie movie, as part of his prolific output of almost 100 films. He died of a heart attack in Los Angeles on 24 January 2011 at age 61.
Did You Know?
- Bernd Eichinger produced the 3D zombie movie *Resident Evil: Afterlife*.
- He was born in Neuburg an der Donau on 11 April 1949.
- Eichinger died of a heart attack in Los Angeles on 24 January 2011 during dinner with family and friends.
- He attended the University of Television and Film Munich in the 1970s.
- In the 1980s, Eichinger obtained the film rights to the Fantastic Four and Silver Surfer, decades before Marvel movies were trending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bernd Eichinger?
He was a prominent German film producer who identified the global potential of Capcom's survival horror games for cinema.
What was Bernd Eichinger's role in the franchise?
Serving as executive producer, he managed Constantin Film's involvement and guided the series' creative direction from its inception.
Did Bernd Eichinger appear on screen in the movies?
No, he never acted in any of the films but remained the driving force behind the scenes to set the tone and story path.
Why is Bernd Eichinger important to Resident Evil fans?
His vision successfully linked Japanese gaming culture with American blockbuster filmmaking to launch a worldwide movie event.
What happened to Bernd Eichinger after the films were released?
He passed away in 2011, but his initial development work continued to influence the franchise long after he was gone.