(*Please note, the Godzilla design in the header image is not the official design for the upcoming, untitled Godzilla film. It is the design used for Seibuen Amusement Park's Godzilla the Ride: Giant Monster Battle Summit.)
By Tuesday, the cryptic countdown from the Official Untitled Godzilla Film Twitter will have ended. We don't know exactly what kind of announcement will follow, but it will hopefully be more information than we have now. Until then, we go over what is known about the new film and when it was made public.
CASTING CALL - FEBRUARY 18, 2022
Our first idea that a new Godzilla film might be going into production was hinted at in February, 2022. A casting call for extras was posted on production company ROBOT COMMUNICATIONS' website. The call revealed the working title, "Super Blockbuster Monster Movie" and that it was a co-production with Toho--the owners of the Godzilla franchise.
The production was tentatively planned from mid-March to mid-June 2022. The two month shoot would take place in the Kanto suburbs right outside of Tokyo. Restrictions were placed on extras regarding hairstyles and hair color since the story was to take place in, "1945-47 Postwar Japan".
While a "Blockbuster Monster Movie" could have been anything, Toho's involvement was a big clue. Another transparent clue was Japan's Godzilla+ App making the same call for extras..
Both ROBOT and the Godzilla+ app noted that Takashi Yamazaki would be directing the film.
FEBRUARY 19, 2022
The Huffington Post Japan dropped an article speculating that the new film was Toho's next Godzilla picture.
FIRST KNOWN DAY OF SHOOTING - MARCH 17, 2022
According to the call for extras, the first known day for shooting was March 17th. However, it's possible shooting started earlier with principal cast members.
On the same day, an alleged extra took to Twitter and claimed apparel worn by the crew was branded with the title, Godzilla Zero. The rumored title takes off among fans.
FINAL KNOWN DAY OF SHOOTING - JUNE 11, 2022
Per the the call for extras, the last known date for shooting was June 11th. Once again, it is unknown if this was when principal photography wrapped or if other scenes were shot later. It is also unknown if reshoots were necessary at a later date.
POST-PRODUCTION - AUGUST 2022 - JANUARY 2023
The special effects company Shirogumi would call for visual effects artists to join post-production on their website. The call estimated work would last from August through January. It is unknown if this is when post-production officially began or merely effects shots, specifically on Shirogumi's end.
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - NOVEMBER 3, 2022
After a year of speculation, Toho finally announced the secret, "Super Blockbuster Monster Movie" as the next Godzilla film. The announcement was made on Godzilla Day at the 2022 Godzilla Fest event. The film was slated for a November 3rd, 2023 release--exactly one year from the announcement and on Godzilla's 69th anniversary. A new logo was released--the letter "G", which some fans felt looked like a zero. This added fuel to the rumor that the title was Godzilla Zero.
In addition to directing, it was also confirmed Yamazaki wrote the screenplay and was in charge of special effects.
DECEMBER 13, 2022
During a Toho press conference, Director of Film Planning Department, Hisashi Usui, alluded that the movie may have a connection to the original film. (Godzilla [1954]) When pressed for more information, he responded, "I can't say ... It may have been a bad idea to suggest some kind of relationship with the first generation [movie]. It may have been a mistake, but... I've crossed my limit."
APRIL 25, 2023
Director Takashi Yamazaki displays the logo for his Godzilla film on his Twitter. It features inverted colors. He gives little away, posting about it with the hashtag, #NewProfilePicture. Fans anticipate a new announcement on the horizon.
COUNTDOWN - JUNE 12, 2023
The new, Official Untitled Godzilla Film Twitter begins a mysterious countdown. One day at a time, the profile highlights each of the Toho films counting backwards from Shin Godzilla (2016). The countdown is slated to end at "#0" on Tuesday, July 11th. (The number gives more evidence to the rumored Godzilla Zero title.) It's worth noting that films from TriStar, Polygon Pictures and Legendary Pictures are omitted from the countdown.
WHO IS DIRECTOR TAKASHI YAMAZAKI?
Takashi Yamazaki is an award winning filmmaker and avid Godzilla fan. His work on Always: Sunset on Third Street (2005) earned him two Japanese Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Screenwriter. He was honored with another Best Director and Best Screenplay nomination for the sequel, Always: Sunset on Third Street 2 (2007). In 2016, he won the Best Director category again for The Eternal Zero. Yamazaki also helmed highly acclaimed actioners, Returner and Space Battleship Yamato.
He gave Godzilla a cameo during an opening dream sequence in Always: Sunset on Third Street 2. In 2021 he returned to Godzilla and directed footage for Seibuen Amusement Park's Godzilla the Ride: Giant Monster Battle Summit.
You can watch footage of Godzilla in his projects below.
Godzilla's cameo in Yamazaki's Always: Sunset on Third Street 2:
Yamazaki's "Godzilla the Ride: Giant Monster Battle Summit":
WHAT TIME PERIOD DOES THE MOVIE TAKE PLACE IN?
The call for extras was for 1945-47 Postwar Japan. Although it's possible only a portion of the film takes place during this time period, Yamazaki has tackled numerous period pieces before. It's likely the entire movie very well takes place during the immediate postwar. Hisashi Usui's insinuation that the movie has a connection to the original 1954 film also seems to indicate most, if not all of the movie takes place during a similar time period. Finally, the rumored title, Godzilla Zero, hints at a story that predates all the other films in the franchise, regardless of continuity.
WHO IS ROBOT COMMUNICATIONS?
ROBOT COMMUNICATIONS is a Japanese production and visual effects studio. It is a subsidiary of the IMAGICA GROUP, a conglomerate composed of multiple production companies that have had a hand in kaiju / tokusatsu film since the 1950s. ROBOT has produced numerous films by Takashi Yamazaki, including Returner, Always: Sunset on Third Street Trilogy and more. They have notably won multiple awards, including one US Academy Award for a short animated film. They are partnered with Toho for the latest Godzilla production.
So what will Tuesday bring? Will we see the new design? A teaser trailer? Poster? We look forward to adding to the information soon!
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Source(s):
ROBOT COMMUNICATIONS Call for Extras
The Huffington Post Japan
Shirogumi Call for FX Artists
Toho Announces New Godzilla Film
Nikkan Sports Official Site
Takashi Yamazaki Twitter
Official Untitled Godzilla Film Twitter
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