After revitalizing the King of Monsters with his smash hit filmGodzilla Minus One, writer-directorTakashi Yamazakiwill once again get to work with the titular kaiju. Toho International announced today that a new movie has been greenlit for production with Yamazaki set to return as writer, director, and VFX supervisor. Little is known about the film or whether it will have any connection to his last outing at this time, but it’s yet another exciting piece of news coming onthe year of Godzilla’s 70th anniversary.
Yamazaki brought almost unprecedented success to the long-running giant monster franchise withMinus One. The film, which follows a kamikaze pilot deserter who seeks redemption bydefending Japan from Godzillain the aftermath of World War II, was universally hailed by critics and viewers alike. Taking the King of Monstersback to his rootsas an allegory for nuclear weaponry andcreating compelling human charactersto ground the story, it earned a Certified Fresh 99% Tomatometer score and Verified Hot 98% audience score onRotten Tomatoes, withCollideramong those praising it in his 8/10 review. Crucially, it was also a financial smash for Toho, earning $116 million at the box office on a budget of around $15 million and becoming the top-grossing Japanese film and third highest-grossing international film ever in the U.S.
Beyond the realm ofGodzilla, Yamazaki hasbuilt up a strong resumein Japan by adapting other properties and delivering original ideas. He previously delivered a two-part live-action adaptation of theParasytemanga, as well asthe stellar CGI-animatedLupin III: The Firstwhich translatedthe beloved anime and manga series’style to the big screen. As far as manga goes, he’s also taken on the classic character Doraemon withStand By Me Doraemonand its 2020 sequel. Some of his highest praise has come for his trilogy of adaptations with theAlways: Sunset on Third Streetseries, though he’s also earned high marks for war movies likeThe Fighter PilotandThe Great War of Archimedes. His work withMinus Onehas still been hailed as one of his best though, taking the franchise in a fresh direction that bodes well for its future.
‘Godzilla Minus One’ Is Back in Theaters Right Now
Though it may be some time before Yamazaki’s return toGodzillaarrives in theaters, viewers can celebrate the King of Monster’s 70th birthday on November 3 byseeing the director’s last film on the big screen once againthis weekend.Minus Oneis back in 1365 North American locations with roughly 13 minutes of exclusive new footage to make the experience feel fresh again. In addition to being available in color, the black-and-white Minus Color version of the film will screen to recreate the vibes of the original 1954 movie that started it all. Theaters are the best way to take in the stunning visual effects ofMinus One, which were impressive enough toearn the Godzilla franchise its first Academy Awardfor Best VFXagainst Hollywood blockbusters with much higher budgets.
Stay tuned here at Collider for more on Yamazaki’s newGodzillamovie and watch the announcement video below. In the meantime,Godzilla Minus Oneis now back in select theaters.
Godzilla Minus One
Post war Japan is at its lowest point when a new crisis emerges in the form of a giant monster, baptized in the horrific power of the atomic bomb.
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