Japanese studio Toho have announced that they will be producing a brand new Godzilla movie, produced in their home country, set for release in 2016. This will be two years before Gareth Edward’s sequel to this year’s blockbuster Godzilla and the first home-grown Godzilla movie in a decade.
The US-Godzilla turned in a global total of $524 million and it topped the Japan box office when it was released back in July. Toho are now looking to piggyback of the movie’s success by re-launching Godzilla back into the Japanese markets.
Toho have said that they will not be able to match the $200 million budget of the Legendary Pictures Godzilla, but advancements in CG technology will allow them to create a film that will stand alongside its franchise contemporaries. No cast, director or budget have been announced.
Alongside a new Godzilla movie, Toho have announced the formation of the Godzilla Strategic Conference, consisting of executives and directors who will work out ways to improve the Godzilla brand in terms of merchandising and other activities. This would suggest that the 2016 Godzilla movie will be the first in a new series of movies.
Gojira was released back in 1954, marking the start of the Showa-era of Godzilla movies which came to a close with Terror of Mechagodzilla in 1975. The Heisei-era launched in 1984 with Godzilla (aka The Return of Godzilla) and ended with Godzilla vs. Destroyah in 1995. After Roland Emmerich’s US-produced Godzilla failed to light up the box office, Toho launched the Millennium series of Godzilla movies, starting with Godzilla 2000 in 1999 and ending with Godzilla: Final Wars in 2004. Sadly however, Godzilla: Final Wars was the lowest earner of the entire Godzilla franchise, prompting the end of his 50-year run.
What do you make of a new Japanese-produced Godzilla movie?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UjZ2TF1kEjE&list=PL18yMRIfoszH_jfuJoo8HCG1-lGjvfH2F
Originally published December 8, 2014. Updated April 13, 2018.
