Roland Emmerich

His movie Das Arche Noah Prinzip has been the most high budgeted film-school examination film (DEM 1,000,000) in Germany .

He lists The Poseidon Adventure , The Towering Inferno and Earthquake (disaster movies) as his favourites.

Brother of Ute Emmerich

Frequently casts members of a particular group of actors in minor roles in his movies. This group includes John Storey , David Pressman , Erick Avari , Leon Rippy , Christopher John Fields , Derek Webster , Jack Moore and Steve Giannelli , among others. All of these actors appeared in at least three films directed by Emmerich, including Universal Soldier , Stargate , Independence Day , Godzilla , and The Patriot . All of these films were produced by Centropolis Entertainment, the company co-founded by Emmerich.

President of the Official Competition jury at the 55th Berlin International Film Festival in 2005.

Emmerich was interested into doing Transformers , but Dreamworks wanted Steven Spielberg and Michael Bay over him.

Turned down the offer to direct Die Another Day .

Was originally considered to direct Spider-Man .

Attended the School of Television and Film in Munich from 1977 to 1981.

Along with other celebrities, he raised money for womens rights in the developing world.

Supported Hillary Clinton s 2008 electoral campaign.

Since directing The Day After Tomorrow , he has tried to focus the publics attention on the issue of global warming.

Donated $150,000 to the Outfests Legacy Project, which is dedicated to the gay and lesbian film preservation, the largest gift in the festivals history.

Lives in Beverly Hills, California.

His nickname of "Das Spielbergle aus Sindelfingen" (translated as "lil Spielberg of Sindelfingen") sounds flattering, but it was actually bestowed upon him in the 1980s by the German media as an insult. Emmerich made his films in English and in the style of the latter part of the "New Hollywood" era. This did not sit well with German movie critics who still preferred the conventional styles that were influenced by the French New Wave and the New German Cinema..

Credits Sylvester Stallone with giving him his big break. Stallone was impressed with Moon 44 and began recommending Emmerich to producers all around Hollywood.

Produced "The Visitor" , Eight Legged Freaks , and 2012 , each of which features a major character who hosts his own radio show dealing with the paranormal and conspiracy theories. Each character also broadcasts from their camper.

Emmerich is best-known for his action disaster films and most identifiable with his trademarks, which include blowing up national landmarks, destroying cities, and focusing heavily on extravagant special effects. Emmerich joked that White House Down actually was a step down from his previous more over-the-top action films. Emmerich directed Stargate , Independence Day , Godzilla , The Day After Tomorrow , 10,000 BC , 2012 , White House Down . He is a great fan of disaster movies and is attracted to tearing down cities. If you see a disaster film, then you know its him.

Is one of the few openly gay directors in Hollywood. Although he claims to have encountered a certain degree of homophobia from studios, he nevertheless feels that as a director, coming out has not harmed his career in the way that it did for some high-profile actors (who had difficulties finding work afterwards). By his own admission, he can still do the movies that he wants to make.

Nobody makes movies bad on purpose. .