Today both the Japanese poster and teaser trailer for Godzilla Resurgence (known as Shin-Gojira in Japan) were released today. Already the fandom is going through the expected motions of debate, comparisons, theories and of course hype!
To add to it the English poster for Godzilla Resurgence has been released. It's worth noting that Katsuro Onoue has a credit as Associate Director and Visual Effects Creative Director. Onoue was the Special Effects Director for Shinji Higuchi's Attack on Titan Part I and II:
To alleviate any confusion we look at the material that has been unveiled to fans:
Is the image on the poster the new Godzilla suit or CG?
That is the question. There seems to be no doubt that the image in question is a physical prop--A child of practical effects, but it may not be a suit either. Those close to the main source that released the poster on twitter seem to hint that the image of Godzilla is a huge, animatronic prop or puppet.
On the other hand August Ragone reports that Norman England had seen this new Godzilla up close--Confirming this is the new design, England called it a "suit." (England was a set photographer of the Millennium Godzilla series. He made a cameo in Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S.)
It's highly likely that Godzilla will be brought to life with a lot of different practical effects methods and then enhanced with CG, not unlike the creatures in Attack on Titan.
How tall is this Godzilla?
A Japanese newspaper has revealed this is the largest Godzilla yet at 118.5 meters. That's around 10 meters taller than the 2014 version and 18.5 meters taller than Toho's tallest Godzillas. (1991-1995 and 2004.)
The Japanese tagline says “Japan vs. Godzilla.”
Although its been speculated that this will be a solo Godzilla film (like the 1954 original and The Return of Godzilla), the poster's tagline may add some fuel to that rumor. So far there's been no mention of any other monsters in the film.
This image reveals more of the design.
Another Japanese newspaper clip shows a little more of Godzilla's new look, giving fans a better idea of what his dorsal plates will be like. The maple leaf-spines makes a clear return:
The movie is not a found footage film.
After the teaser trailer was released some fans quickly took to the web, mistakenly believing a Cloverfield-esque, found footage movie was on the horizon. The answer is no, no, no, no and also no. With a side of no. And more no.
There is no indication that the film will be a found-footage product from the closest sources. There's also nothing in the resume of Director Hideaki Anno that suggests a love for found footage material or a style similar to it.
The simple explanation is that this is a teaser trailer meant to create awareness for the film and that's all. The location of the footage looks a lot like the images seen during the Kamata Railway Station shoot in September. Camera support was everywhere in those photos, including cinematographers getting high angle shots--So unless someone is floating in mid-air it's unlikely this could possibly be a found footage feature:
Godzilla's 1954 roar is heard in the trailer.
Like those jumping to conclusions that this is a found footage movie, it's unwise to assume Godzilla's roar will definitely be the 1954 incarnation's signature sound. However, Godzilla's roar has been very different than the 50's variation for years; Toho hasn't strayed very far from what Godzilla sounds like since 1992's Godzilla vs. Mothra. There have been modifications since then, of course, but even Legendary's 2014 film didn't stray from what is most recognizable.
To use the 1954 Godzilla's roar in the trailer, and not include it in the film, (to some capacity) would seem odd--Especially considering how much the filmmakers are using the original film as inspiration.
The roar and footsteps in the teaser are sound clips from the original movie.
Is July 29, 2016 the release date for Japan only?
Yes. The July release date is for Japan only. We likely won't hear anything about the film's distribution to North America, or other countries, for quite some time.
Isn't this just Toho just going through the motions like they have for years?
Nope. Hardly at all. In fact Godzilla Resurgence's production is unlike any Toho Godzilla film before it. This is not going to be like Godzilla 2000 after TriStar's 1998 disaster. The difference lies in who is behind the camera and how much time is being put into the project.
Although Toho had always kicked around the idea of making another Godzilla movie at the turn of the century, there was definitely a demand for one after 1998. The problem is Godzilla 2000 largely had the same crew, producers and amount of time as the 80s and 90s Godzilla films: A year long pre-production/production/post-production timetable and a December release date. Nothing really changed and the quality was about even with what the 1990s produced.
Today, the producers and crew of the 90s and 2000s have either moved on or retired. Godzilla Resurgence was being planned as far back as 2013, before Legendary's Godzilla had even hit theaters. Its shooting timetable is very similar to that of Legendary's Godzilla '14 and it will likely have the longest period of post-production any Toho Godzilla film has enjoyed. Furthermore this will be the first time a Toho Godzilla movie has not been released in December since 1975's Terror of MechaGodzilla.
Toho has reached out to some of the most in-demand talent in Japan to write and direct the film: Hideaki Anno. Together with the outstanding special effects director Shinji Higuchi, Toho has picked something of a dream team. These are not inexperienced newbies to the director's chair like Takao Okawara (Godzilla vs. Mothra '92) or Masaaki Tezuka (Godzilla x Megaguirus), who were simply handed Godzilla projects to pump out entries. Anno and Higuchi are auteurs in the industry with decades of experience under their belt. The approach for this movie is very different and hardly an example of Toho, “going through the motions.”
As the hype train kicks into high gear, some of the franchise's most renown fans and artists have contributed their interpretations of the latest incarnation of Godzilla. Check it out!
Matt Frank:
Jeff Zornow:
Shinji Nishikawa:
Yusuke Miki:
Stay tuned for more info on the upcoming Godzilla Resurgence.
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Sources:
The Good, the Bad and the Godzilla
Gormaru Island
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