Godzilla will return to Japan…
Toho, the Japanese film studio that unleashed Godzilla on the world back in 1954, has announced plans to produce its own ‘Godzilla’ film by 2016.
“With the success of the Hollywood version of ‘Godzilla,’ we decided on a new [domestic] production,” said veteran producer Taiji Ueda in a statement. “The screenplay is currently in development and we plan to start shooting next summer. We cannot announce cast or staff selections at this time. And we’re still deliberating whether to bring Godzilla to life via CGI or man-in-suit.”
Directed by Gareth Edwards and co-produced by Legendary Pictures and Warner Brothers, the Hollywood reboot grossed more than $500 million worldwide, and topped Japan’s box office on its opening weekend.
“The time has come for Japan to make a film that will not lose to Hollywood,” said Ueda, who adds that aim is for the new Godzilla to “represent Japan and be loved around the world” in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Toho also announced that they’ve launched the “Godzilla Conference” (“Godzi-con”) as an organization to discuss and decide a wide range of strategies for promoting the King of Monsters.
In related news, Namco Bandai has released a reveal trailer for its ‘GODZILLA – The Game,’ arriving on Playstation 3 and Playstation 4 in summer 2015.