What are the hype levels for Godzilla: Resurgence?

@Jamaal and Something real,

I would also love a similar haunting scene similar to when Godzilla was coming face to face with the electrical towers in 54'. No music, no words spoke, nothing. Just a desperate military trying to stop the monster before it reaches the mainland. That to me was a powerful scene. 

HUGE-BEN - I could agree more! Indeed, the moments in which Godzilla is approaching and sizing up the city before was extremely powerful - and tension building! If we are treated to something similar in the upcoming film, it will likely be quite indelible! :)

HUGE-BEN:

Yes. That was a signature moment in the Series. Godzilla appears to pause before attacking the high-tension lines, then he looks both ways, as if to size them up. At that moment, he displayed a level of intelligence not found in most monsters. Godzilla's sentience became obvious at that moment.

This and many other moments make Gojira what it is.

I'm sorry. I just love the original gojira film and will always consider it the greatest of them all. 

The big question on my mind is, will shin Godzilla die? That's something that seems intriguing right now. I mean, this isn't the heisei and millennium series anymore. This a whole new ballgame. 

"I'm sorry. I just love the original gojira film and will always consider it the greatest of them all."

No need to be sorry, Huge-Ben.

It is the greatest, in my humble opinion. And that's not just because "it started it all." Gojira is moving, riveting, documentary-like fillmmaking. The human characters are very easy to like, identify with and bond with. The Shodai-Goji design is most imposing and terrifying. The way Godzilla inexorably moves through Tokyo renders the viewer of this spectacle helpless. You have no choice but to watch the futile attempts to stop him. Then, it comes down to a decision that one man must make, necessitating the ultimate sacrifice.

At the end, after deliverance, one feels relieved but chastened at the same time.

Gojira entertains-it's visually spectacular-, but admonishes and warns at the same time, without being preachy. 

(Quotes Jamaal's reply and tweets) 

I couldn't agree more. As Gman2887 said, you provide the best quotes about Godzilla and tokusatsu as a whole. I'll ask you kindly to please let someone else have a turn. Thanks Jamaal! ;)

Thank you for the kind words.

I think what I want to say, what I'm trying to say, is that I want, I hope, fervently, that Shin Gojira be the kind seismic film experience that Gojira was and is. Just as moving, suspenseful, visually arresting, and scary. I believe that the Anno-Higuchi Godzilla can be that relevant, cautionary and thought-provoking kaiju eiga that will attract non-fans and place them in narrative they can roll around in. I want this film to be a journey that one experiences. The film is going to have to have elements in it that get people's attention and then doesn't let them go. It should be gripping and suspenseful, beautiful and horrifying at the same time. I hope that Shin Gojira is unpredictable until the very end. 

Thank you for the kind words.

I think what I want to say, what I'm trying to say, is that I want, I hope, fervently, that Shin Gojira be the kind seismic film experience that Gojira was and is. Just as moving, suspenseful, visually arresting, and scary. I believe that the Anno-Higuchi Godzilla can be that relevant, cautionary and thought-provoking kaiju eiga that will attract non-fans and place them in narrative they can roll around in. I want this film to be a journey that one experiences. The film is going to have to have elements in it that get people's attention and then doesn't let them go. It should be gripping and suspenseful, beautiful and horrifying at the same time. I hope that Shin Gojira is unpredictable until the very end. 

Ed Godziszewski said in an interview posted on another message board site that Shin Gojira was being shot almost entirely with digital effects with very little in the way of practical effects.

If this is true, then I am very disappointed. I was hoping that the Anno-Higuchi Godzilla would not only be a great film (which it may well turn out to be), but also a vehicle for the display of the beauty and unique nature of tokusatsu effects. 

The link for the interview at Toho Kingdom:

http://www.tohokingdom.com/interviews/ed_godziszewski_01-2016.html

@Jamaal,

I wouldn't worry. There's not enough evidence to show that this is indeed true. Even then, I highly recommend you watch the live action Attack on Titan films. ;)

@Huge-Ben:

I'll take at look at the Attack onTitan films soon, hopefully, God willing. I was hoping that Shin Gojira would be a full feature, full budgeted version of the short film Anno and Higuchi produced recently, which was almost totally done with practical effects. Not that I was expecting and 90%/10% 'split' practical to digital, effects-wise. But, based on their devotion to practical effects as well as the aforementioned short film, I was expecting a film that looked modern, with convincing effects, but made distinct with that tokusatsu look and feel.

I also found at Toho Kingdom these two links to You Tube videos featuring Attack on Titan making of featurettes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP0al0-WSDk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgJJAk3NThY

So, along with Steve Martin and everybody else in Tokyo, I'm on a watch and wait basis. 

@Jamaal,

August Ragone has told me in person that even though he really can't say anything on the subject that the live action Attack on Titan films are a hint to the special effects. Trust me. We are getting traditional tokusatsu filmmaking with more practical effects and blended digital effects. 

You can find the first Attack on Titan live action film on eBay in English subtitles. And, I highly recommend you get your order in now. You won't believe what you will see. A horror film that turns into a kaiju film. I rank it above a few Godzilla movies to be honest. It's an awesome film! 

Don't take my word for it. Just order it and see it for yourself. :)

And, even though Ed godziszewski is very informative. He didn't really provide information that this is indeed what Toho stated. Also, Toho kingdom is not associated with the company Toho in any way. 

That interview could have been manipulated for all we know. Doubtful but, we just don't know for sure. 

It is because of things like this-rumors about the effects-that I posted elsewhere that a mid-production press conference might be a good idea. Toho did this for GMK. It featured Shusuke Kaneko, Chiharu Niiyama, Ryudo Uzaki and Producer Shogo Tomiyama. The Godzilla Suit (The "Soukogeki-Goji") was presented presumably worn by Mizuho Yoshida. It was the first real good look we got at the suit. And it was great, with Niyaama posing in front of it.

While a spoiler session is not what one would want, so more hints about the the direction that the film is taking, its course, would be welcome. For example, some information about the rest of the cast. Or does the cast consist of three people? That would be a novel concept. Also, I'd like to know more about the crew. Who's doing what. What films/TV shows they've worked on. What are their thoughts about the film, its approach to SFX/VFX?

Just thoughts. Hoping for some clarifying good news, soon, God willing.

Now, back to watching Godzilla vs.Biollante.

Anticipation or hype?  Former is 10, but hype is ZERO!  The teaser trailer was a waste of time and the leaked images actually turned me off.  And I am not one to have this blind faith in the creators or the arrogance that Japan is the only place to make a good kaiju film - thank you Korea.  Or that practical effects are the best.  But since Japan has been bad at CG forever, I'm fine with it as long as I don't feel like I'm watching a man in the suit step on awesome miniatures.  We are FAR past that time.  It's 2016!  I like Mad Max as much as the next guy, but that movie didn't have giant beasts in it.

I am an admitted fanboy of the genre.  I'll watch, love, and support any serious effort from ANYWHERE to move the genre forward because I want MORE of it.  Hell, I bought Final Wars - which we all know was trash.  So much so that I felt it was time to take genre out of Japan for a break just so Japan could see new ideas.   That's how crappy that one was.  But I still support it.  I'm just waiting for another step to be taken.  The Heisei Gamera trilogy kind of effort updated for today is my MINIMUM expectation.  We need to stop supporting pandering crap from Toho.

Sorry for the long, first post.  But I'm passionate about this.   It's my favorite genre by far and I want to see it flourish.  Not flounder as it has up until Hollowwood woke it up with Cloverfield.   

Still have yet to see Gods of Egypt.  I know it wont be great.  But the message needs to be sent.  Give me more!!! 

So uh, you want the idea of tokusatsu buried to death with CGI? The day CGI and higher budgets call for a better film is the day me and many other fans of tokusatsu convert ourselves to movies like Bayformers and Green Lantern as the greatest films of all time. 

It's 2016. So what? Tokusatsu is the reason we love Godzilla. It's what Godzilla revolutionized to begin with and the reason he is king of it.

And, to say it's crap just shows me that you know nothing about tokusatsu and why it's Japan's tradition. 

What was promised with Shin Gojira-by the filmmakers, not presumed by the fans-was a blending of practical and digital effects. There's a place for both in most, if not all, SFX/VFX films. Neither type of effects and visualization ensure a great film, or even one that is watchable. It's all in the execution based upon the talent and vision of the filmmakers and how much time and freedom they're given to realize that vision.

But, having said this, it must stated that tokusatsu has a special place in, and is central to, the Godzilla Series of films. CGI is needed for some things. But, there are some things, when filmed right and with meticulous care, that look better in practical effects. I don't want to argue here the 'case' for Japanese Practical Effects. They're not in need of being defended. They, and their place in the genre and the series, just need to be understood. For fans, it means an immense appreciation for a unique, colorful and beautiful art form, one that needs and deserves to be enjoyed and preserved.

I heard a rumor:

I heard that Toho Studios was producing a Godzilla movie, to be released this year.

I also heard that Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi were co-directing it.

Any news?

In between the torrents of news about Shin Gojira ("It's alive! It's Godzilla!"), I've decided to revist some films and features not seen in a while. Tonight, it's the Region 2, three-dsc set of Godzilla 2000 Millennium. This set, which I highly recommend, has a rather copius behind the scenes feature called, "The Making of Godzilla 2000 Millennium." While it could be argued that it could benefit from some editing (some parts seem to go and on and...) it is, nevertheless, a great look at the production of the 23rd entry in the Series. Among the highlights are some great, beautiful looks at the Mire-Goji suit, with Tsutomu Kitagawa being helped in and out of it. Director Takao Okawara and SFX Director Kenji Suzuki are shown in their element, so to speak, during the filming of the live action and special effects scenes. This is really geek stuff, and if you're a fan of the movie like me, it's all good. There are extreme close ups of the miniatures being prepared to be destroyed. One of the best scenes was the filming of the power plant being leveled by Godzilla after the attack on Nemuro. The beauty of this low-tech, practical effects work is evident and a joy to watch. The crews seem to be having fun as they labor on the set.

Thank God for this set. It's really helping to fill in the time.

I wonder if the titan in this clip, with the exposed under layers of skin, has influenced the look of Godzilla in Shin Gojira?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evOhJtTwj6g

To be honest, if Shin Gojira looks a lot like Attack on Titan, and is well written and acted, and daringly directed, I could be pretty happy with it. I think this is what we're going to get. I just hope the story is of a wide scale, affecting the country and the region. It's supposed to involve the United States. So I hope we don't get the village effect, scale-wise, a la Godzilla Raids Again . I also expect to see Godzilla regenerate/transform somewhat, over time. This is just a guess based upon the differences between the look of the Tweeted poster and the leaked photographs. And, it wouild not only make sense, but it would make for a stunning visual for the film's story. Of couse, we don't know if the leaked photos are what the SFX/VFX staff are going to ultimately go with. In fact, we don't know too much, actually. There have been hints dropped regarding AoT as a visual point of reference regarding Shin Gojira. We have been advised to look at the last Shinji Higuchi/Katsuro Onoue visual collaboration. So, I'm looking. I'm still very interested. A trailer, will, of course, say a lot.

Also, we were told that the suit would employ three stuntmen. This, I would like to see.

And, I hope a suit is involved. A lot.

Now, this is what I'm talking about:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP5o7PvH4Vg&ebc=ANyPxKrhr0ix_DO5MYanFwa_X_cv6zpyfD61BYUGqtjdfS7FXOgs6OAJEPBc4eG1ZlcOfUjlvB48Myou-1m6kondA5JNqtK82g

This level and style of visualization, along with a narrative that pulls you into it, making you part of it (or, a captive to it), in Shin Gojira, would be great to see and experience. I'm counting on Hideaki Anno to come have come through with a moving, rich and textured story. I do not expect to be disappointed. And the visuals, as seen in these clips, just need to be projected onto a scale that is national, affecting the entire country with regional implications. I expect something similar in Shin Gojira because of what well-placed and authoritative sources have said, and because of the artists involved. And, we get an Anno narrative.  

@Jamaal,

Just a small correction. Giant God warrior appears in Tokyo came out in 2009. It is a short movie you can watch on www.dailymotion.com 

Just go to the website, type in giant God warrior appears in Tokyo under the search option and watch it. Directed by Hideaki Anno and special effects supervisor Shinji Higuchi. 

So, giant God warrior influenced the titans and shin Godzilla. 

Thanks, Huge-Ben. Good reminder about GGWAIT. What a beautiful short film! And creepy, too!. I can see a line of influence from it to Attack on Titan, to the designs we've seen for Shin Gojira. The latest Godzilla would be the next step in a line of progression, effects-wise, at least. The AoT clips have given me hope and perhaps an idea as to how Godzilla will be portrayed. It's not just the look or convincibility of the effects, it's also-to me-how Godzilla is characterized and how he acts. The clips were convincing enough to allow me to 'buy into' what was happening. But, they also have that look that makes the visuals almost dream-like, a bit surreal. To this fan, semi-realism in SFX/VFX is not only beautiful to watch and marvel at, but also effective visually when the kaiju is a symbol as well as an actual creature. I think you can have both in a kaiju film. The result is that the art form, the tradition can be kept relevant and updated while being preserved for the future. 

Having said this, I'm for the use of digital effects in conjunction with practical effects. We've seem how they can complement each other, each one enhancing the other. 

I'm looking forward to that first trailer, just to see, to get an indication, as to what this most anticipated Godzilla film may offer and promise.

No problem Jamaal. To me, both GGWAIT and AOT are very good connections to what we can expect for Shin Godzilla. 

And, as a fan of tokusatsu to another, I highly, highly, highly recommend you get and watch Ultraman the next. What Gamera guardian of the universe is to Gamera. Great film.

Anyway, rumors are still pointing to a trailer for Godzilla resurgence towards the end of this month we call March. Makes sense to me. Godzilla theme song, Godzilla March. This month is March. Lol, I tried pulling a funny. 

One does not only watch tokusatsu; one feels tokusatsu. It is a state of mind that is a solid part of the experience. CGI is in no way displeasing; however, the days when films worked magic through practical effects were far kinder. :)

^That's it. Tokusatsu is felt and experienced. Plus, it's real. That it's actual and flowing from human hands is a great part of the appeal. Tokusatsu is 'close' and of near access. It has a warmth that cannot be replicated.

Plus, there are shots, practical effects, in GGWAIT that would not look as good, as beautiful or artisitic if done digitally. Anyone who's seen the film knows what I'm referring to. It's like looking at a beautiful painting that moves and changes angles.Then, if you combine practical and digital effects in one shot, the contrast is most satisfying. It almost defies description.

Well, it' been about five months since the Shin Gojira website came online.

Any ideas about the marketing strategy for this film? Perhaps information about Shin Gojira wil be 'back ended,' with a lot of photos, video, plot details toward the end of the production cycle. Then again, maybe not. Perhaps-just perhaps- the idea is to surround the film in a shroud of mystery. We don't know really anything as to what it's going to be like. We have the statements of the directors and things said by 'sources.' I love that term, 'sources.'

Personally, I don't know if this is a good idea. But, I've never produced a movie, either.  

JAMAAL - I share in your uncertainty with regards to the marketing of Shin -Gojira. However, like you, I have never produced a film! With that being said, I believe the veil of mystery might serve to increase the anticipation for the film! Of course, I would absolutely love a little more information; however, I am not certain what I would like to see or hear. It is a compelling conundrum! The vast majority of my  mind does not want to have even a small bit of Shin-Gojira ruined!