Oliver Berben Discusses the Latest ‘Resident Evil’ and His Vision for Constantin Film in the Independent Market

Oliver Berben: Pioneering the Future of Constantin Film

Oliver Berben is looking to the future. Since stepping into the role of CEO at Constantin Film nearly two years ago, Berben has articulated a clear vision for the German production and distribution powerhouse. His goal is to usher the company—a 75-year staple in the industry—into a new era characterized by indie-style audacity.

"The market has been changing rapidly, and I want creatives to see that we are a place where their visions can come to life," Berben stated. He emphasized the importance of filmmakers as intellectual property, noting that “the biggest creative power you can have is a triple-A filmmaker along with a package that combines those filmmakers with great cast and great ideas—that’s what we are aiming for."

Under Berben’s leadership, Constantin achieved significant success in Germany with the comedy Manitou’s Canoe, which became the nation’s top film of 2025, drawing over five million admissions and earning €50.9 million at the box office. This success secured Constantin Film’s position as the leading indie distributor of the year and fifth overall.

"It’s a sign that the audience is there and you just need to make the movies or shows that they really want to see," Berben remarked. “It’s not just cinema—it’s streaming and traditional TV too—they have all evolved into something different. The data of where the audience is and what they want is right here in front of us, and we’re focusing on exactly that.”

Berben believes that aligning the right product with the right audience is crucial. "The only thing that has changed is that you cannot rely on the same ideas and patterns you used to release movies 10 years ago. The sooner people accept that, the better."

The recent European premiere of Gore Verbinski’s Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die at Berlinale marks a significant milestone for Constantin. This film, Verbinski’s first independent project, was developed, produced, and financed by the company, with Briarcliff handling U.S. domestic rights and Constantin managing distribution in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

At the European Film Market (EFM) this year, Constantin showcased three new projects—a supernatural thriller titled Siamese Dream, based on Cecelia Ahern’s If You Could See Me Now, and an adaptation of Jennifer Archer’s YA novel Into the Deep. Berben noted that the company has also been working on Cregger’s Resident Evil, emphasizing its departure from traditional narratives associated with the franchise.

Additionally, Constantin produced the survival horror feature Boiúna: Legend of the Amazon, set for a U.S. release by Lionsgate later this year. Berben sees these projects as indicators of his commitment to modernizing Constantin for future generations.

"We have changed a lot on the creative side," he acknowledged. "We are creating paths for new ideas and new creatives to enter the scene and providing them with the groundwork to grow and hopefully be successful in the coming years." Berben pointed to the company’s transformation as a cultural shift, expanding its network to include diverse creative talents worldwide.

Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die exemplifies this new direction. The film follows a man from the future who takes patrons of an iconic L.A. diner hostage, seeking unlikely recruits to save the world from a rogue AI. Berben expresses enthusiasm for working with bold ideas, underscoring his intent to cultivate a space for "Triple A" filmmakers within the independent sector.

Berben’s commitment to progressive storytelling extends to Constantin’s flagship IP, Resident Evil. He confidently entrusted new director Zach Cregger with revitalizing the franchise. “With Resident Evil, we are allowing a new generation to take the IP into their own hands and form something different," he explained.

The evolution aimed at enhancing Constantin’s footprint in the U.S. and international markets builds on its strong foundation in Germany. Berben asserts that the company plans to broaden its collaborations with diverse directors, optimizing its competitive edge.

"The opportunity for us in the U.S. is unique. We have an advantage because we are coming with the territories already," Berben stated, indicating a strong intention to facilitate filmmakers’ visions.

Berben also emphasizes the importance of collaborative efforts, mentioning a larger team working together to greenlight projects. This team includes a newer generation of film and television professionals empowered to shape the creative process.

Most recently, Constantin appointed Eric Lehmann as Chief Technology Officer to spearhead the integration of AI into production and distribution. "We’re working with many different kinds of AI tools," Berben noted. "Some of them will work, some of them won’t. But we are learning very quickly. The important thing is not to be the first but the best mover."

As Berben leads Constantin into its next chapter, his forward-thinking approach signals a shift towards embracing innovation while honoring the company’s longstanding legacy.