Takashi Yamazaki, the filmmaker behind Godzilla Minus One, is set to create another Godzilla film.
Takashi Yamazaki, the filmmaker behind Godzilla Minus One, is set to create another Godzilla film.
Fantastic news, folks who adore the Monarch of Monsters' realm: Academy Award-winning director Takashi Yamazaki is making a comeback to the realm of Godzilla.
Earlier this morning, as Yamazaki's ticket-selling titan Godzilla Minus One returned to theaters to honor the 70th anniversary of the inaugural 1954 original classic, Toho announced that they have given the green light for a brand new Godzilla movie, with Yamazaki in charge. Similar to Minus One, Yamazaki will pen the script, steer the directorial ship, and oversee the visual effects. However, details about the movie are yet to be disclosed, such as whether or not Yamazaki's new project will be a continuation of Godzilla Minus One or a fresh, independent installation in the broader lineage.
In the finale of Minus One, Godzilla appears to have been vanquished due to Kōichi Shikishima (portrayed by Ryunosuke Kamiki)'s efforts, sparing Japan from his wrath. The final scenes hinted at Godzilla's slow recuperation beneath the ocean's surface, as well as a questionable explanation for Shikishima's lover Noriko's (portrayed by Minami Hamabe, known for her role as Kamen Rider Shin) miraculous revival.
At a recent New York Comic Con celebrating 70 years of Godzilla movies, Yamazaki divulged to fans, "As a matter of fact, the very initial draft, Noriko dies. So I re-read it numerous times, and I thought, ‘Do we really have to go through with that for Shikishima?’ After all those trials, all the hills and mountains he had to climb, defeating Godzilla, and then coming home to discover no one was there? That would be far too tragic." It wasn't until filming that Yamazaki decided to position VFX markers on Hamabe and added a hint of a menacing cost associated with Noriko's survival to their embrace in the film's final moments, manifesting as a growing bruise running up her neck.
Remains to be seen if Yamazaki will delve into this or if he's planning to steer Godzilla in a new direction altogether. Needless to say, we're thrilled to see him teaming up with the largest force in the film industry once more. We'll keep you posted on Yamazaki's plans for Godzilla as soon as we get more information.
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In light of Yamazaki's new project, technological advancements could potentially enhance the visual effects in the upcoming Godzilla movie. io9 fans looking forward to upcoming releases might be excited to learn about potential advancements in movie technology in the upcoming Godzilla film.