Max Borenstein Interview Says Godzilla 2 will be Bigger and Better

Yeah, saw this. The only thing noteworthy is that he's writing the script... Bleagh.

Still means good things for the sequel.

The only reason I found him already writing to be such big news was because I thought he was also writing the script for Skull Island, which I expected him to finish before starting on Godzilla 2.

Him righting the script equals Yuck! 

I'll keep an open mind but, if he screws up again, game over. 

Hopefully he learned from his mistakes...

I don't really think most of the problems with the G14 script were Borenstein's fault. They brought in so many people to do the rewrites, all with completely different experience in different genres. I'm tempted to think if anyone, David Callaham (of Expendables fame) is responsible for stinking up some of the script.

Durp,
Borenstein finished writing Skull Island awhile ago. New writers were called in to rewrite the script. John Gatis and Dan Gilroy are taking over.

There are a number of reasons they could be taking over-- This is normal in Hollywood, but the fact Legendary decided not to throw more money to keep Borenstein onboard could be taken only so many ways.

GorillaGodzilla,
What good things does it mention that are good for the sequel? Ever sequel in history ever have overused the phrase "bigger and better" so... what? I'd be more relieved about it if Borenstein mentioned some issues with the first movie to show how he's learned from his mistakes, but he doesn't go into it at all. He, a screenwriter, just uses the cliche "bigger and better" which literally tells us nothing.

I like Edwards and see a lot of potential in him, but Borenstein? Although he's not credited he had his hands in that awful Seventh Son movie that was delayed a year. The Minority Report television series looks hideous and Godzilla's screenplay was anything but stellar.

My hope is that Legendary will bring some other writers onboard after Borenstein wraps up the first draft, ala Skull Island.

I didn't think seventh son was awful as you put it Gman2887. Could have been better but, it to me wasn't that bad.

Anyway, just because someone says bigger and badder doesn't mean spit. They said the same thing in 98 and look at what happened there. Borenstein really needs to step it up "big"  time. 

I have no doubt that Borenstein and Legendary DO intend to make this movie bigger and better. There's no reason not to believe them.

My issue is that Borenstein doesn't even allude or drop hints to how he'll be doing that. He doesn't alleviate fears that he won't make the same mistakes again. He doesn't talk about how characters will pop more. He doesn't talk about how we'll see more Godzilla. He just uses the most overused phrase to describe a Hollywood sequel.

The only thing this article really confirms is that he's in the middle of writing the screenplay.

Well, in the absence of any details, we can only speculate as to what "bigger and better" means.

The first thing that comes to mind is more screen time for Godzilla. Also, with three other monsters in the film, it's inconceivable that they not fight. So, there should be a lot of action, especially since all of these kaiju are airborne. Maybe alll of thi come under the category of "bigger."

As for "better," I can only assume that it means a more engrossing sceenplay and story narrative, with leads that are somewhat more compelling. There is, potentially, a lot to be mined here: Monarch, and its backstory; the origins of the other monsters (if that's explored at all); conflict between the scientific community and the military about what to do about whatever the monsters bring of havoc and the overall threat to civilization, etc.  

Then there is the issue of what does it all mean? Why is this happening?

DURP004 - This is incredibly interesting information! I certainly hope that Borenstein manages to produce the film that we fans would like to see - and I hope that his new script provides Edwards and Legendary with the tools to do so! Thank you ever so much for taking the time to share this with us! :)

Godzilla 2014 is a movie that didn't really know what it wants to be. Am I a character-driven genre film? A balls to the wall summer blockbuster? A cautionary tale holding mankind accountable? A solid B monster movie? To me it never quite succeeds in any of those areas and as a result, just falls flat.

For all the flack I've heard about Pacific Rim, I'd take it any day of the week over G 14. I liked the characters. I got what drove them. They were interesting and in some cases, funny. In between, there was some of the most fun, kick-ass giant monster action I've ever seen. I think it's a solid piece of entertainment and a love letter to the genre. You can tell Del Toro is a huge fan of tokusatsu, mecha and anime.

So, yeah, bigger and better means nothing to me, because quite honestly, it could up the stakes in any or all of those areas and it would be bigger and/or better. Pick what you want it to be and run with it.

Remember this too.. Godzilla 2014 movie was a roll of the dice. They did not put a lot into it money wise.. for if by chance it was not well received by the movie goers at large.. then WB could at least break even. But it did do well.. and it was enough to give them a green light for more. Also.. the amount of CGI required for the sequel.. is going to be huge.. and costly. But the Avengers used a ton of CGI which required a crap load of cash.. and it did way better than expected. So if WB wants to create a monster verse.. they are going to have to spend the big bucks to to make G KOM.. something people will go to the theater twice to see because it is just too cool to only see once. In my opinion.. this Showa style approach to the new Godzilla.. has the potential for massive success in the box office. Maybe Borenstein  is being honest.. when he says bigger better. He's an ok screen play writer.. but everyone learns from experience and learns to improve. I hope that's the case with him. Also.. he is now a part of what is making this all happen.. he is not going to want to be known as the guy who killed this franchise. in my opinion.

RR44,
Geez, you really dug this out of mothballs. I think the point is moot now since we know Borenstein is no longer the lead writer for Godzilla: King of the Monsters--In fact he may not be credited at all anymore. I don't know.

Michael Dougherty is the one who wrote the script, so at the moment I'm just relieved it wasn't Borenstein who took charge of Godzilla: King of the Monsters.

I have not been following as much as I'd like. Sorry for the johnny come lately moment.