[Mista]

A Dutch filmmaker has accused Capcom of plagiarising a monster design featured in Resident Evil Village.

Richard Raaphorst published a LinkedIn post this weekend claiming that the Japanese publisher had used a design featured in his 2013 horror film "without authorization".

The monster in question is Sturm, a boss who appears mid-way through Village's story with a giant propeller attached to its torso.

As pointed out by Raaphorst, the Resident Evil boss is visually similar to a creature featured in Frankenstein's Army, his film which sees Soviet troops invading Germany encounter undead mechanical soldiers created by a mad scientist.

In the movie, the propeller monster is set on fire, much like how players must do the same to the boss featured in Resident Evil Village.

Raaphorst:

In 2013 I directed my film Frankenstein's Army. It's a crazy monster movie filled with my own creature designs, one of which has been used – completely without authorization or credit in the newest Resident Evil game.

Filmmaker accuses Capcom of ‘stealing’ Resident Evil Village monster design | VGC

“First I felt angry, then proud, but now I see this, I feel sad.”…

www.videogameschronicle.com

 

[regawdless]

That does look awfully similar, wow.

Guess I have to watch Frankensteins Army!

 

[DonDonDonPata]

That movie sounds awesome!

 

[regawdless]

Fuck Pyramid Head, Propeller Head is the real deal.

 

[Zefah]

Yeah, that's pretty damn similar... the environment, too.

 

[Calcium]

That's pretty damning. Oops.

 

[Allnamestakenlol]

They also plagiarized the wolfman! Wtf!

 

[Black Chamber]

If anyone is interested in watching the movie "Frankenstein's Army" - it's free on Amazon Prime

 

[Stilton Disco]

That does look really damned similar. Wouldn't be surprised if it's something the designer had seen briefly in a trailer or even horror movie binge, but had forgotten about watching.

Fuck knows I've had the odd great idea that I've realised ages later was just something from an otherwise boring movie or book I'd forgotten about.

 

[Cryptek]

Usually these claims fall flat, but this does look very similar and he may have a case.

 

[Test]

it's a fucking propeller head, there's nothing to steal ...

 

[John Day]

it's a fucking propeller head, there's nothing to steal ...

But how many times have we seen it in popular media. And the flaming it on part

Maybe Capcom did it has hommage though, not intending to steal any work.

 

[Damage inc]

One has Arms. One Doesn't. Different enough =)

 

[John Day]

So what danger does a man with a propeller head pose?

 

[HotPocket69]

One has Arms. One Doesn't. Different enough =)

Case closed

 

[El Rey]

I highly doubt a character like that has any kind of IP protection, so I wonder wtf his case would be

 

[regawdless]

So what danger does a man with a propeller head pose?

Cool breeze I guess.

 

[and 3 others]

Cool looking design. I'll give the creator props!

 

[John Day]

Should have tm2 machine guns on the sides. ATATATTATATATATATATATATATATTA!!!!!!!

 

[Tindalos]

So what danger does a man with a propeller head pose?

 

[Sejan]

Unless there is some sort of really good reason for that thing to have a propeller head, I really don't see how RE8 can defend itself here. It is practically the same.

 

[tillbot8]

Usually with these claims i'm like uhhhh huhhh righttttt. But this is a bit uncanny. He is within his rights to sue based on what I see!

 

[Mirabilis]

Strangely not the character I was imagining .....

 

[Arkam]

I am not familiar with laws regarding character design... but Gorgo was allowed as an "homage" to Godzilla.

 

[regawdless]

Apparently it's not the only enemy. Look at this video, they got "inspired" by more enemies from that movie.

 

[and 3 others]

Megaman boss. A Capcom joint. F. Army copied Capcom. Checkmate!

 

[Sejan]

Megaman boss. A Capcom joint. F. Army copied Capcom. Checkmate!

Looks pretty definitive to me. Capcom should sue everyone involved.

 

[Sejan]

After some research, I found the original version that everyone copied. Spoilered to avoid a lawsuit from all involved parties.

Spoiler

 

[Allnamestakenlol]

Megaman boss. A Capcom joint. F. Army copied Capcom. Checkmate!

And the dude with the gun arm. He's obviously based on MM himself:

This filmmaker is treading on thin ice.

 

[Stilton Disco]

Apparently it's not the only enemy. Look at this video, they got "inspired" by more enemies from that movie.

OK, yeah, that's pretty bloody brazen, but on the other hand, those are damned good ideas, and Capcom has improved all of them.

I only just noticed Resi 8's Propeller Head has chainsaws for blades, which is rad.

 

[Cryptek]

OK, yeah, that's pretty bloody brazen, but on the other hand, those are damned good ideas, and Capcom has improved all of them.

I only just noticed Resi 8's Propeller Head has chainsaws for blades, which is rad.

From link in OP.

As noted by one Twitter user, there are several other monster designs featured in Resident Evil Village that resemble creatures featured in Frankenstein's Army. On Monday Raaphorst replied to the Twitter thread, stating: "Oh dude, this is worse than I thought. First I felt angry, then proud, but now I see this, I feel sad."

 

[MildWolverine]