Godzilla remake

[Dontebell]

Godzilla is getting remade by Legendary pictures

http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/03/29/godzilla-to-be-remade-courtesy-of-legendary-pictures/

The giant Japanese monster is getting the Hollywood treatment — again. This time Legendary Pictures will do an American Godzilla movie, based on Toho Company’s legendary monster. The studio, which is behind the upcoming Clash of the Titans, has made it clear it won’t be a sequel to the 1998 film that Sony and Roland Emmerich made. (That movie starring Matthew Broderick grossed close to $400 million worldwide.) Rather, it will be a re-imagining of the original Godzilla movies. Legendary has plans to announce a director for the film soon. The movie — which Legendary hopes to release in 2012 — will be a co-production and co-financing deal with Warner Bros, and Toho will distribute the film in Japan.

[Brodie]

Awesome. I've been waiting for more info on this. This with the supposed 3d IMAX thing being made in Japan should make for some awesome godzilla-ness.

[The Deadman]

no 3D!!!!!!!

[Brodie]

Its not garunteed to be in 3d (the Toho one), its just been thrown around. Toho doesn't generally do stuff like that.

And Who knows if this new one will be in 3D.

But this is a type of movie that would make sense in 3D (I hate 3D movies, but it still stands).

[Newton Gimmick]

To be fair, Toho is very interested in doing 3D. They've been trying to get a Godzilla 3D movie together for part of the last decade, long before the 3D trend in Hollywood: http://www.infinitehollywood.com/2010/03/american-godzilla-3d-movie-from.html

[Brodie]

I thought it just fizzled and they were going the regular IMAX route?

They were planning a 40 minute Imax thing, with Hedorah, last I read.

[Newton Gimmick]

Yeah, it was still looking for funding. But the only idea they greenlighted with Godzilla was 3D. So I think the promise of 3D may have been one of the key elements they liked about this.

[Deathknight]

Sounds good but I thought after the 1998 one Toho was never going to let us touch Godzilla again lol. Oh well, hope it turns out good.

[Raph's Girl]

3D Godzilla....I'd see it. Just as long as Godzilla doesn't look as bad as the 1990's one.

[Ninjinister]

But will it be worth it without Don Frye? :lol: Seriously though, I love me some Godzilla, but I hope this one will be worth it. Ol' Haggar twin was really what made Final Wars.

[FlawedCoil82]

I am glad to hear more about this. I am a big Godzilla nerd. I still love purchasing the awesome American Bandai Creation Godzilla figures that they still sell at K-Mart, CVS Pharmacy and Toys R Us. I hope they will be the ones who make the new vinyl figures for the new Godzilla movie as well. Maybe this will also help ALL the Godzilla movies get a fair release on dvd (still waiting for Godzilla vs. Biollante especially). I hope that they will do this movie justice and not destroy Godzilla's image and legacy like the horrible Tristar film did. Also, I hope he has another monster to fight. Hell, I'd like to see him fight that "Gryphon" monster that they revealed in G-Fan magazine that the 1998 Godzilla was supposed to fight. At any rate, if this all goes well then it will be an exciting time to be a Godzilla fan. :D
Jack

[Leo656]

I'll probably see it. I only wish I was as knowledgable of Godzilla as Brodie is with his stupid huge collection of every stupid Godzilla movie ever made that I wish I had but can't afford and I HATE YOU.

Not jealous at all.

I only have the original on DVD, and only seen a couple of the others. I don't think they could do better than the original Japanese version, though. Not only visually amazing for its time, but positively chilling when viewed in context of a post-atomic bomb Japan. Love that movie.

[FlawedCoil82]

The Godzilla movies aren't all that expensive to get on dvd. But three of them (Godzilla vs. Megalon, Godzilla 1985 and Godzilla vs. Biollante) have never been released officially on Region 1 dvd before. Everything else can be found through online retailers. In case anyone wants a breakdown of all the Godzilla movies (there are 28 official movies), here they are (alternate names included). I'm doing this all from memory, so hopefully I got them all.

Showa films:
1. Godzilla (Gojira) (Godzilla: King Of The Monsters)
2. Godzilla Raids Again (Gigantis: The Fire Monster)
3. King Kong vs. Godzilla
4. Godzilla vs. The Thing (Mothra vs. Godzilla)
5. Ghidorah: The Three Headed Monster
6. Godzilla vs. Monster Zero (Invasion Of Astro-Monster)
7. Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster (Ebirah: Horror Of The Deep)
8. Son Of Godzilla
9. Destroy All Monsters
10. Godzilla's Revenge (All Monsters Attack)
11. Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster (Godzilla vs. Hedorah)
12. Godzilla vs. Gigan (Godzilla On Monster Island)
13. Godzilla vs. Megalon (not available on dvd)
14. Godzilla vs. The Cosmic Monster (Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, Godzilla vs. The Bionic Monster)
15. Terror Of Mechagodzilla (The Terror Of Godzilla)

Heisei films: (my favorites)
16. Godzilla 1985 (The Return Of Godzilla) (not available on dvd)
17. Godzilla vs. Biollante (not available on dvd)
18. Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah
19. Godzilla vs. Mothra (Godzilla vs. Queen Mothra, Godzilla And Mothra: The Battle For Earth)
20. Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla 2)
21. Godzilla vs. Spacegodzilla
22. Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (Godzilla vs. Destroyer)

Millennium films:
23. Godzilla 2000 (Godzilla 2000 Millennium)
24. Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (Godzilla X Megaguirus)
25. Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All Out Attack
26. Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla (Godzilla X Mechagodzilla)
27. Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. (Godzilla X Mechagodzilla X Mothra)
28. Godzilla: Final Wars

Yep, I'm bored to tears. :ohwell:
Jack

[Leo656]

Another thing that keeps me from getting more is that some of them have multiple versions available on DVD, and I only want the ones that are the best presentation. Like I'd seen the original for sale before, but never picked it up until I saw Gojira: The Original Japanese Masterpiece. I'm much more interested in the original Japanese presentation than the butchered Americanized versions, but not having seen most of the films at all I have no idea what DVD versions best suit my preference.

[Brodie]

I got 2 different box sets, one had 7 movies as special editions, and as it stands, aside from Final Wars and 2000, these are the only special editions that exist. The other boxset had 11 movies or so. The rest you can usuallt grab anywhere from 5-15 bucks.

I also ordered Godzilla 1985, and VS Biollante on dvd from China, since they got a legit release, and they have the original in a subtitled version. The ebay seller I snagged them from had them for 10 bucks, sealed, with free shipping.

[Leo656]

What would you say was the best one besides the original? I know Godzilla movies as a whole are something of a catch-all punchline in this country, but they can't all be as bad as people claim that they are...

[FlawedCoil82]

I easily favor the Heisei films the most (minus Godzilla 1985). They seem to be most serious and Godzilla has never looked cooler than he did in those six films. They still have their campiness, however. But it's not nearly as bad as some of the later Showa films were. In particular, Godzilla's Revenge, Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster and Godzilla vs. Megalon are pretty aweful films and smothered in cheese. Although pretty much all the movies feature some ridiculous characters (such as 6 inch tall fairy priestesses or space alien cockroaches).

As far as which versions are best of each film, I can not say for certain. I suppose the Classic Media releases (who released the 2 disc Gojira dvd) have the best versions available, however they only own the rights to Gojira, Godzilla Raids Again, Mothra vs. Godzilla, Ghidorah: The Three Headed Monster, Godzilla vs. Monster Zero, Godzilla's Revenge and Terror Of Mechagodzilla. You can get them all in this collection: http://www.amazon.com/Godzilla-Collection-Yuriko-Hoshi/dp/B000VXWK86/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1270373769&sr=1-2

Brodie, what would you consider the picture/sound quality on those Chinese releases?

Jack

[Leo656]

See, that's another thing I loved about the original. Everybody says Godzilla and thinks "camp" or "cheese" but there's nothing campy about the original. The concept of an atomic bomb awakening and/or mutating some ancient beast beneath the ocean floor might have been farfetched, but only by a hair. Watching it while remembering what happened in real life in Japan just scant years before, it becomes a pretty straight-up horror flick if you put yourself in the time and place it represented.

The only thing "cheesy" were the effects and seriously, is it fair to judge considering the year? For what they had to work with I thought they did an amazing job.

Now if someone wants to spark a doobie and laugh at it on purpose, I'm sure it works for that, too, but I at least try to capture the experience as it was meant to be seen. :)

[FlawedCoil82]

The original film was a much more dark, serious film. Everything after that (basically) had Godzilla becoming a friendly type monster who defended humans against other evil monsters. After Godzilla vs. The Thing, Godzilla became "the good guy" to appeal to children. In Godzilla 1985 it revives some of the serious tone of the first film, as it's supposed to be a sequel to the original Gojira movie. Godzilla is more a "force of nature" after that movie. He causes damage but not really on purpose. He's just so big and while fighting monsters, damage to buildings is inevitable. In Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All Out Attack, Godzilla once again becomes a bad guy (but the story is rather confusing, not to mention King Ghidorah; one of Godzilla's deadliest enemies, becomes a good monster). The special effects in that movie were great (due to the special effects being done by the same guy who did the great Heisei Gamera trilogy before it). But, in my opinion, you won't find another Godzilla film that can be taken anywhere near as seriously as the first film.
Jack

[Newton Gimmick]

What would you say was the best one besides the original? I know Godzilla movies as a whole are something of a catch-all punchline in this country, but they can't all be as bad as people claim that they are...

I'd have to say Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack... Usually just referred to as GMK.

I think it's likely one of the best on most people's list. It truly captures the spirit of Godzilla and it's a stand alone film, but still has plenty of bad assery, monster fights and no sappy side stuff.

In terms of matching the original Gojira spirit, magnitude and sheer destruction, this film is it.

Biollante is also a really good flick with a much different pacing than most Godzilla films. The most recent MechaGodzilla two films are decent as well.

When it comes to the Showa films, it's hard to reccomend them because they've all been so hacked to pieces in so many different places that I wouldn't even be sure what cut you might end up watching.

So, in a nutshell, GMK is a good place to go.

[Brodie]

I really liked GMK also. Super dark.

As far as the chinese dvd quality: I'd say its on par with any of the regular released films, the only downside being the english subtitles sharing space with Traditional Chinese subtitles. Not terribly distracting though. And its pretty much the only way to get G1985 without any Steve Martin scenes.

[TheCanadiandrome]

well let's just hope it's better than the last two reboots

[Brodie]

Which two are you referring to?

[TheCanadiandrome]

Which two are you referring to?
Godzilla 1998: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120685/

Godzilla 2000: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0188640/

[Brodie]

Godzilla 2000 was a decent movie. Better than the US release of Godzilla 1985,

[Ninjinister]

Seconded. I liked G2K.

[The Stryker]

Can either of those movies be considered reboots?

[Ninjinister]

Sort of. Godzilla '85/Return of Godzilla was the start of the Heisei films, while Godzilla 2000 brought the beginning of the Millennium films. G'85 and G2K were both touted as direct sequels to the original '54 film, ignoring the continuity of every previous entry to the series.

[Spitfire]

Sort of. Godzilla '85/Return of Godzilla was the start of the Heisei films, while Godzilla 2000 brought the beginning of the Millennium films. G'85 and G2K were both touted as direct sequels to the original '54 film, ignoring the continuity of every previous entry to the series.

Godzilla Vs Destroyah seemed to tie all the films together. It basically stated that the Godzilla we've been seeing since the 2nd movie was the same one and after he died his son took over, making him the third Godzilla. I haven't seen every Godzilla movie though. I don't remember '85 very well but I know in 2K they didn't treat it like Godzilla was a new or anything.

I just looked on Wiki and it says these Millennium films all ignore the previous continuity and were treated as direct sequels to the first movie. I guess that constitutes as a reboot. I usually watch these movies dubbed and laugh my ass off at the horrible translation and voice acting. I never paid much attention to the stories in these movies. They're usually pretty ridiculous, ape people, evil white men in disco suits from the future.

Anyways I'd love to see another American attempt. The original script for the first attempt looked promising. I don't know why they didn't use it.

[Brodie]

Spit, as far as the Ape people, or Disco suit evildoers, and lizard people....that's generally just from the later Showa films....None of that stuff really every popped up in anything else.

Unless Roland Emmerich was in a disco suit.

[Spitfire]

Spit, as far as the Ape people, or Disco suit evildoers, and lizard people....that's generally just from the later Showa films....None of that stuff really every popped up in anything else.

Unless Roland Emmerich was in a disco suit.

Those are the ones I saw mainly. I had Godzilla Vs Mecha-Godzilla on VHS when I was a kid, that had ape people in it. My Dad owns a double disk of Godzilla Vs King Ghidorah*Which has the hilarious future people in it* and Mothera and he has one with Space Godzilla and Destroyah.

I saw 2000 in theaters and other then that one the only of the newer series I've seen was Godzilla, Mothera, and King Ghidorah. It was on TV and probably edited. I don't remember the costumes looking very menacing in that one. Oh I also saw Final Wars but I hardly remember it.

Is the newer series more serious? I know Gamera did that for three films and those movies weren't bad.

[FlawedCoil82]

Godzilla 1985 was a sequel to Godzilla: King Of The Monsters. Everything else is looked over (Godzilla 1985 continues from Godzilla vs. Biollante thru Godzilla vs. Destoroyah). Godzilla 2000 and Godzilla vs. Megaguirus are tied together loosely. GMK: Giant Monsters All Out Attack is not connected to any of the films and was an all new take on Godzilla. Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla and Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. are directly tied in together (basically Part 1 and Part 2). Godzilla: Final Wars was pretty much a standalone as well.

The original script that was designed for the 1998 film (basically called the Debont version) was cancelled because the director was requesting more money for the budget than what Tristar was willing to allow. He basically left and then they got Roland Emmerich (who, ironically ended up using more money to make the film than what the original director originally requested for the budget).
Jack

[Venom]

Just saw this on Legendary's site and out of excitement posted a thread before searching. :P

I'm definitely keeping tabs on this! :D

[Cipher]

I love me some Godzilla. The 1954 film is a legitimately good movie, and all the rest are at least campy fun. There's nothing better than getting a group of friends together for a dubbed-over '60s cheese-fest. It's not like the Japanese version has ever portrayed him very seriously outside of a few films either.

I'm a little bit nervous about the American involvement. I really hope they either stick close to the 1954 film in themes, or just don't take themselves seriously at all. Either extreme will work, but they've got to pick one.

As for the 3D, this is one of the few times I could see it working out. 3D, as far as I'm concerned, should stick to campy popcorn flicks. Godzilla at least fits the bill.

Spit, as far as the Ape people, or Disco suit evildoers, and lizard people....that's generally just from the later Showa films....None of that stuff really every popped up in anything else.Some of the Heisei and Millenium era films are just as silly. Not pointing any fingers, but ... Space Godzilla and Final Wars. And most of the other films are only slightly less silly. At the end of the day, you still have a giant monster fighting his robot clone or something.

[Venom]

From what I've dug around and found out about the movie's direction, the plan is to essentially have a modern retake on the old '54 origin movie. The Legendary guys are apparently true Godzilla fans and really want to do the property justice.

Then again, Toho fully backed Sony's version in '98 until feedback from viewers became negative. Say what you will, but the Devlin/Emmerich iteration was still a fun movie.

I'm going to remain optimistic about this until I actually see it.

[Dontebell]

A monster's head sculpt that could be godzilla

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/8/2010/05/340x_godzilla.jpg.jpg

http://io9.com/5532729/has-the-scaly-face-of-the-new-godzilla-surfaced

edit: It turn out that it's not part of the remake.
http://www.movieweb.com/news/NEt32xtvdnePwu

[FlawedCoil82]

Well it would have looked cooler than the 1998 version. But also don't forget, when pictures of that 1998 Godzilla (GINO) surfaced online, Tristar denied through their teeth that that was really what their Godzilla looked like. However when the movie actually came out, people confirmed that it was, in fact, the correct design.
Jack

[Spitfire]

I actually like that a lot. As long as his body is big and bulky. I hated that skinny design it didn't make any sense for a creature that big to be that skinny and fast moving. Not to say that a creature like Godzilla makes sense period but at least have it be somewhat accurate to if it actually existed.