In an unexpected and seemingly unfortunate turn of events it would seem as though Godzilla (2014) director Gareth Edwards will no longer be directing its follow-up sequel, Godzilla 2 which was originally set for a summer, 2018 release but has since been pushed back to March 22nd, 2019.
According to a fresh report from Deadline, Gareth Edwards, Legendary and Warner Brothers agreed upon his departure well before a release date for Godzilla 2 was set. The reason for his exit seems to be out of personal interest to pursue smaller scale projects.
Max Borenstein, who wrote the script for Godzilla (2014) has also written the first treatment for Godzilla 2. The film will include a clash between Godzilla and three other iconic Toho monsters, Rodan, Mothra and King Ghidorah.
It's unfortunate to learn that Edwards will no longer be involved with the sequel, especially considering the enthusiasm and excitement he had for creating a Destroy All Monsters style sequel. We can only hope that whoever Legendary and Warner Bros. select to direct Godzilla 2, will have this same enthusiasm and passion for the property. As more details concerning the Godzilla sequel are released, we'll be sure to keep you updated.
Who do you think should direct Godzilla 2? Let us know your opinions in the comments section below!
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This article was written By Chris and published on 2016-05-13 12:38:28
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It is disappointing for sure. I think Colin would do a fine job, but I'm not sure if he's that savvy with the Godzilla mythos. Edwards was a fanboy at heart and knew how to film a Godzilla movie. It'll be hard to replace him, I feel.
I really wonder what could have been more enticing than helming the sequel he had always hoped to create, though. It's a major pay-day, with nearly free range, creatively speaking. I'm very curious to know what managed to draw Edwards' attention so much to make him back out.
I'd prefer Trevorrow keep his distance from Godzilla. I enjoyed Jurassic World for what it was, but that's not the tone set by the 2014 movie. It needs someone else.
At least now we know why the movie has been delayed to 2019. The man went from a small, indie flick to two massive blockbusters in no time flat. He's probably fried and hats off to him wanting to do smaller projects.
There are plenty of other directors more than capable of handling Godzilla, but the question is "who?" I wonder how long Edwards' exit has been in the cards. Could it date back to the issues and director shuffle with Pacific Rim 2? Might del Toro have left Pacific Rim 2 for Godzilla 2? This is pure speculation, but I'd be as giddy as hell about that.
Gareth Edwards will be missed because, in addition to being gifted, he is a fan. Guillermo Del Toro is intriguing. He'd get my vote if Legendary and Warner Brothers were going to put the director selection to a vote by fans.
Or, how about this: Shusuke Kaneko. But he's about 60 now. Could that work? Just thinking out loud, in reaction to this news. Head is still spinning.
As much as I'd love to give Shusuke Kaneko $150 million and let him go wild, it's unrealistic that a Japanese filmmaker with no experience in the Hollywood studio system would have a go at it.
Talking to some fans, del Toro and Reeves seem to be the most popular of the wish list. I doubt either will do it, but it's a nice thought.
Smilodon's probably correct and they may hand it off to another indie director. We'll see.
Now, Guillermo del Toro is someone I'd be more than happy with filling Edwards' shoes for Godzilla 2. Leaving Pacific Rim 2 to pursue Godzilla 2 would certainly be interesting. Would likely add to the possibility of a potential cross-over, even though that likely will never happen.
"As much as I'd love to give Shusuke Kaneko $150 million and let him go wild, it's unrealistic that a Japanese filmmaker with no experience in the Hollywood studio system would have a go at it."
You're right. It was a dream expressed while still reeling from the news about Gareth Edwards exiting the Legendary Godzilla Franchise. The news about the Push-back to 2019 was a kind of harbinger of this. I'd really like to know what brought this on. Some may suspect that Legendary and Gareth had a parting of the ways, creatively-speaking. Now, we're going over lists of potential directors, wondering: who will direct Godzilla 2? Will the second entry in the Legendary Godzilla Series wind up being more 'Transformer'-like? Wall to wall SFX/VFX? I'm thinking that perhaps Legendary and Warner Brothers, although happy with Godzilla's worldwide gross, think that it could have been more with more testosterone-if you know what I mean. When Takao Okawara directed Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II, he said that he felt that Godzilla vs. Mothra had too much talking. All that preachy stuff about the environment, and what we were doing to the world, and, and.....But with GvMGII, he went for the effects, the battles, along with a muted message about 'natural life against artificial life.' I think we'll see a similar shift in Godzilla 2, and, with all of those monsters, flying monsters, it's going to look like a live action video game.
Really interested to see who they get to direct it now. You need a pretty strong director to help distract from Borenstein's dialogue IMO, and while Gareth didn't do that fully he did make the 2014 movie a lot better with the atmosphere and visuals that were incorporated.
Alex, Deadline isn't a source that puts information which "messes" with any fanbase.
Durp, At this point I have doubts Borenstein will have final say, or rather, be the final writer for Godzilla 2. At least I'm crossing my fingers after how his script has been passed to other writers for Skull Island.
That is true, with the pushed back release date they would have ample time to find other writers to make more compelling works out of out of what Borenstein's started.
Of course you also have to consider there might be a slight favoritism for Kong since Hollywood is in the west, and the original is one of the most iconic films ever over here(worldwide really, but at least in the US I'd say people in general would expect more from a kong film), so it might get preferential treatment at least for his solo movie. I mean the last Kong remake got Peter Jackson when he was hot off Lord of the Rings to direct it.
I think having a lot of writers in the pot is simply status quo for Hollywood and blockbusters. Sure, Skull Island has gone through about 4 or 5 writers, but then so did Godzilla '14. I have no doubt Godzilla 2 and Godzilla vs. Kong will go through the same cooks-in-the-kitchen process.
I feel like Borenstein's clout is losing steam among producers, especially after his Minority Report crashed and burned.
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