Godzilla vs. Smog Monster Sequel in the Works!

Godzilla: Final Wars(2004)

Some very interesting news recently came to light in an interview with Godzilla 2014 executive producer Yoshimitsu Banno about one of Godzilla's most enigmatic foes, The Smog Monster, a.k.a Hedorah, an alien, shape-changing monster that feeds off humanity's filth and pollution. Hedorah appeared in the 1971 film Godzilla vs. Hedorah and also a very brief cameo in the non-stop action Godzilla: Final Wars(2004).

Yoshimitsu Banno

Yoshimitsu Banno is a Toho executive producer and was also co-writer and director of Godzilla vs. Hedorah. The movie featured an infamous scene where Godzilla briefly flies by use of his trademark atomic breath as a kind of jet propulsion. The rather silly scene enraged Godzilla creator and producer Tomoyuki Tanaka who later banned Banno from ever doing another Godzilla film. However, times change and 40 years later, Banno was instrumental in bringing a Godzilla reboot project across the ocean to Hollywood, ultimately finding a home at Legendary Pictures.

There was an erroneous article on the internet that claimed that Godzilla's foe in the new reboot would be Hedorah. We now know that the monsters Godzilla will fight are insect like creatures called Mutos. The Mutos seem to change form during the course of the story similar to Hedorah and some have speculated that this was Banno's influence.

The recent interview comes from the great new kaiju website, Godzilla Fans Universe by Damian Bravo. Banno discusses his inspiration to be a film maker and in the course of their discussion, he revealed something I never knew about Hedorah. In the climactic battle scene, Godzilla ripped into the dying Smog Monster and pulls out organ like structures and finally, two large, white orbs that seem to be eggs and destroys them. Banno revealed that they weren't eggs at all, but actually Hedorah's eyes. Wow, That's even more gruesome!

Then he drops the real bomb. He said he is now developing a sequel to Godzilla vs. Hedorah.  He goes on to name a new, good monster "Midorah" which will fight against Hedorah. What does this mean? Is he referring to a possible sequel to Legendary's Godzilla reboot in 2014, or will this be the beginning of a new Japanese Godzilla series? Will we have two Godzilla franchises going on at the same time on both sides of the Pacific? Regardless, G fans will be pleased that we appear on the cusp of a new golden age of kaiju fantasy films. What's next? Will there be a revival of Gamera, too?

Follow the link above for the full article.

Godzilla 2014: The Hedorah Connection(Yoshimitsu Banno)

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In 2010 Toho producer Yoshimitsu Banno from Japan along with American producer Brian Rodgers were shopping around Hollywood with a Godzilla reboot project. Banno had initially tried to develop a 3D Godzilla film for IMAX, but that deal fell through. They eventually came to Legendary Pictures and CEO Thomas Tull who picked it up, making both men executive producers. On May 16, 2014(4 years later), the world will witness the new vision of Godzilla from Legendary and director Gareth Edwards.

Godzilla 2014 Executive Producer
Yoshimitsu Banno

But who is Yoshimitsu Banno? Well, he just happens to be writer and director of one of the strangest and most memorable Godzilla movies of all time Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster(1971), a.k.a. Godzilla vs. Hedorah, and was once banned from ever doing another Godzilla film.

Hedorah: a Unique Vision

Hedorah stands out among the 28 Japanese Godzilla movies. Inspired by pollution on local beaches, Banno wanted to create a film with a dark theme of environmental awareness with his new shape-changing monster Hedorah. It has the most direct social message of any other Godzilla sequel. However, that's not the only thing that makes it unique.

In a stark departure of past Godzilla films where violence and the death of thousands in monster attacks is never directly shown, Hedorah graphically shows dead bodies and people being killed by the Smog Monster and creates a very grim tone.

Hedorah takes a very negative view of the young generation of the day. The movie opens with the young, beautiful Miki in body paint and a skintight suit, dancing on a nightcub table in front of her loser boyfriend Yukio. Whereas the deeply concerned, Dr. Yanno and young son Ken are trying to understand and find a solution to the problem, and Dr. Yanno is actually scarred in his attempts,  Yukio is portrayed as a completely irresponsible, thrill-seeking drug user. Constantly blaming the older generation for the pollution problem and Hedorah's arrival, he is always dragging Miki and young Ken into harm's way for kicks. The fatalistic youth in the movie just want to have a big, Woodstock-like orgy party before the end of the world. This is in sharp contrast to later films like Godzilla vs. Gigan, where the hippie youth are the comical, bumbling heroes of the story.

In the strangest scene of this or any other Godzilla film, we see the big music party on Mt. Fuji with teenagers dancing, when the camera cuts to show the silent, pale faces of  long dead Japanese farmers watching from the tall grass. The ghosts of the older generation watch scowling at the decadence and apathy of the Japanese youth.


But environmental message, death, an apathetic youth, or mysterious ghosts is not the thing that fans remember most from Hedorah and is not what got Banno in trouble. The most memorable scene is when Godzilla flies! Hedorah flees in its flying saucer form, then Godzilla turns around, spreads his arms and fires his radioactive breath which propels him backwards like a rocket and overtakes and actually falls on top of Hedorah. This undeniably silly scene enraged Godzilla creator and producer Tomoyuki Tanaka to the point that he forbid Banno from ever working on a Godzilla film again. Now, 42 years later, we see Banno as executive producer on a new American Godzilla film that may turn out to be the most successful of all time.

The Future

The new Godzilla reboot will feature monster opponents called Mutos which seem to evolve and change form over the course of the story. Did this take a cue from Hedorah, Is this Banno's legacy re-envisioned? It remains unclear, but the Mutos will have a very different origin and will be a metaphor for a very different threat, more along the lines of biotechnology. But that's not all Banno has in store. In a recent interview on G Fans Universe, Banno revealed he's currently working on a sequel to Godzilla vs. Hedorah and even named a new, good monster Midora who would help in the fight against Hedorah. Please follow the link to read the full interview. Is he talking about a sequel to Legendary's Godzilla in 2014, or is this the beginning of a new Japanese Godzilla series? Will we have two Godzilla franchises running on both sides of the Pacific? One thing is clear and I've stated long ago. Pacific Rim was just a pre-cursor. Legendary's Godzilla will usher in a new golden age of Kaiju fantasy films for a whole new generation.

Godzilla 2014 To Have Historical Origins in 1954

Recently Godzilla 2014 Cinematographer Seamus McGarvy(Avengers, Anna Karenina) was interviewed by Pushing Pixels. The website and interview are somewhat technical and not specifically about Godzilla, but more about cinematography in general. However, during the interview, McGarvey revealed that part of the new Godzilla 2014 reboot will take place in 1954, which is the year of the original Gojira film. From the beginning of the production, Gareth Edwards said they were mostly inspired and pulled heavily from the original Godzilla movie. A historical origin to Godzilla is necessary to connect the film to the original Toho character and McGarvey's comments confirm this. Here's an excerpt from the interview:

Kirill: Shooting on film had all the imperfections of the analog medium, from the lens distortion to all the mechanical parts to the grain of the film itself, while capturing on digital sensors is much more exact and, to a certain degree, lifelessly perfect. Do you see it as a certain magic that will be gone from the moviegoing experience?

Seamus: It is, and I did like those aberrations. We can still preserve this with lenses, for instance, that are now more vital as we put them in front of the sensor. On “Godzilla” I used the old C series anamorphic lenses, and for the section in 1954 I used really old vintage lenses from the early 1960s. They took the edge off of the very vivid, sharp sensors, and gave it a distant period feel. That’s exciting as glass is coming back in terms of lending difference to each project that we do. It’s nice to be able to interfere with image, to sort of mess it up a bit.

There’s a lot more that we do now in digital intermediate [DI]. That becomes a much more important part of my job because of the possibilities of the manipulation. Now I try to have my contract include that they keep me on to DI. You used to do it physically with film stock, pushing and pulling different processes, and now it’s done entirely digitally. In some ways you have a lot more control in the digital realm, and it’s not baked in either.

I still conceive of something of how I would do it on film, so I’m not just sitting in the DI trying this and that. I still have the same disciplined approach to imagining what the image might be. For example, for the 1950s section on “Godzilla” I knew that they look I wanted was a peeled look with muted colors and diffusion on the highlights, a sense of period distance. I found a lot of photographs and magazines, and I knew that I wanted the blacks to be imbued with a tint of magenta. I assembled a lot of references, and I was able to show it and do some tests in advance. We nailed the look when we established a lookup table which we applied every time we shot those section. It was the same pre-conception of what we were going to do on the day.

(I initially though Ken Watanabe would play a Dr. Serizawa like character in the past. If he does appear in the present, will he make the ultimate sacrifice to stop Godzilla like in the original film?)

McGarvey also said as a cinematographer, he's no fan of shooting or watching 3D and considers it more of a marketing gimmick that he hopes goes away soon.  Doing Avengers that way was a "complete pain in the ass". "Godzilla" was shoot in 2D, but will have a 3D version.

We know the official trailer will b released with The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug around Dec. 13, next month. We'll see what plot details it reveals. 

Godzilla will decimate theaters on May 16, 2014

Godzilla 2014 Bryan Cranston and Elizabeth Olsen Interview

Here's another San Diego Comic-co 2013 interview with Godzilla 2014 stars Elizabeth Olsen and Bryan Cranston. This one comes from Cosmic Book News.

At the beginning of the video and again at the 1:45 mark is an interview with Sullivan Stapleton (300: Rise of an Empire) and you can see a peek of Godzilla 2014 director Gareth Edwards in the background smiling shyly at the camera.

At about the 3:30 mark, Bryan Cranston talks about Godzilla as a very character driven film:

"By investing in these characters it's a richer experience for the audience."

Elizabeth Olsen says about the story:

"It's driven by a narrative, by a family" The story is told from the characters perspective.."if it really would happen."

Later Cranston reassured us the new Godzilla will have a very nuclear theme.:

"It revolves around the concept of energy..nuclear energy." "Whenever you think you can contain an energy like that, perhaps you're being foolish, and Godzilla teaches us that."

Everything I hear about this production just gets me more and more excited. This will be a movie for everyone, not just fans. Godzilla 2014 will be a spectacular effects monster film, centered on a solid, human story. I can't wait!

Godzilla stomps into theaters May 16,(Friday) 2014.

Sally Hawkins Godzilla 2014 Experience, "Mind Blowing"

Recently Fan Carpet reported that British actress Sally Hawkins(Blue Jasmine) said her experience working on Godzilla 2014 was "mind blowing". She plays a scientist acting opposite stars Aaron Taylor-Jophnson, Elizabeth Olsen, and Brian Cranston. She said:

"I didn't actually get to play with Godzilla much," she said. "He is quite big and scaly and frightening. I think I saw his eye once on green screen through a window.

It was a blast. I do mainly small British films so to be planted in Godzilla-land for a few months was amazing."

 It also stars international talents Juliette Binoche, and Ken Watanabe and is directed by Gareth Edwards. 

Godzilla opens in theaters May 16, 2014.

Godzilla 2014 Cast Photo

Here's a great picture of the three main cast members for Godzilla 2014 at the San Diego Comic-con. The lead character Lieutenant Ford is played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson(Kick-Ass). His nurse wife by Elizabeth Olsen(Martha Marcy May Marlene), and his stepfather by Bryan Cranston(Breaking Bad). The story focuses on these three and the journey they go on together.

Godzilla opens May 16, 2014

From left: Elizabeth Olsen, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Bryan Cranston

Elizabeth Olsen and Bryan Cranston Reveal More About Godzilla 2014

Godzilla Movies posted a video interview with Godzilla 2014 stars, Elizabeth Olsen and Bryan Cranston who reveal more tidbits about the new Legendary Pictures movie. The video is subtitled in Spanish and comes via Omelete Entravista. Here are some great quotes, then watch the video below:

Elizabeth Olsen revealed her character's name, Elle Brody, a nurse and wife to Lieutenant Ford(Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and mother to their son. She says this Godzilla brings it back to the root of the original Gojira:

"It's about us attempting to control nature and it just ultimately not working out in the end...There's a awesome grittiness to this film and a nice reality...as well as amazing special effects."

Bryan Cranston says:

"We think that you'll be able to wipe the memory of the old Godzilla, 12 years ago.. or whatever that was, right, completely out of your system. This Godzilla is very different. A very, character-driven Monster movie.." 

He then reveals a little more about his character and the plot. He says he's playing a scientist in Japan-when he discovers some anomalies in the 'Sonar signaling patterns' and he's just starting the investigation when all hell breaks loose!

The official plot synopsis from Legendary Pictures:
"An epic rebirth to Toho's iconic Godzilla, this spectacular adventure, from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, pits the world's most famous monster against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity's scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence."

Godzilla Stomps into Theaters May 16. 2014. We can't wait!

Alexandre Desplat to Score Godzilla 2014

It was reported by First Showing, that Alexandre Desplat has been chosen by Gareth Edwards and Legendary Pictures to compose the Godzilla reboot next year. The French born Desplat is one of the most respected composers in Hollywood. The eclectic, 5 time Oscar nominee has scored such various films as, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 1,2, Moonrise Kingdom, and Argo.

In a 2011 interview he said he always likes to do something different:

"The key is not to do twice in a row the same kind of film. And if you look at my filmography, I never do twice..."

Desplat's appointment has no doubt raised some eyebrows in Hollywood. This, plus the script's pedigree, penned by Drew Pierce, Max Borenstein, and Frank Darabont hints that Gareth Edwards' Godzilla will be more intimate and have more depth of emotion than your average action movie or monster flick. We can expect good things on the way. I can't wait.

Godzilla 2014 Elizabeth Olsen Interview at SDCC

This is another AMC interview from San Diego Comic-Con, this time with Godzilla 2014 star Elizabeth Olsen. She talks about her reasons for wanting to do this film and working with Gareth Edwards and a great cast.

Godzilla 2014 Bryan Cranston Interview from SDCC

This is a great video interview of Godzilla 2014 star Bryan Cranston by AMC taken at the San Diego Comic-Con. When asked how Legendary's Godzilla is a new for audiences, he said the thing that really impressed him was director Gareth Edwards showed "restraint" in telling the story. He spends a lot of time on building the characters so we really care about them and shows the monster sparingly to build suspense. Cranston seems to have fun making sexual innuendo with that word restraint, too. He also gives some advice (or lack there of) on how to survive Godzilla. Everything I see and read makes me sure that Legendary and Edwards are making a great film, not only a monster movie. I can't wait.

Godzilla 2014 Complete Cast Update

This is just to update the complete cast as it's known today, Just in case you've missed it.

Legendary Pictures: Godzilla -- An epic rebirth to Toho's iconic Godzilla, this spectacular adventure pits the world's most famous monster against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity's scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence. Gareth Edwards directs Godzilla, which stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olsen, and Juliette Binoche, with David Strathairn and Bryan Cranston. The screenplay is by Max Borenstein, Frank Darabont, and Dave Callaham. Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni are producing with Mary Parent and Brian Rogers. Alex Garcia and Patricia Whitcher are the executive producers, alongside Yoshimitsu Banno and Kenji Okuhira. The film is from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures.

Director, Gareth Edwards

Lead-Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Lieutenant Ford)



Bryan Cranston (Stepfather, "The General")

Elizabeth Olsen

Ken Watanabe

Juliette Binoche

David Strathairn

Richard T. Jones(Military Figure)

Sally Hawkins(Scientist)

Akira Takarada
(Veteran Toho Godzilla Movie actor-Cameo role)

Gareth Edwards Message from Godzilla 2014 Set

Here's a short message from Director Gareth Edwards about a year before Godzilla's release. This was the first day Elizabeth Olsen, the Olsen twins lesser known sister will appear as Lieutenant Ford's (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) love interest.This is a scene t a FEMA relief camp after the monster's rampage. I hope this scene will be reminiscent of the tragic hospital scene from the original Gojira(1954). Only time will tell.

Godzilla 2014 San Francisco Attack!

Here are some on the set shots of military action as Godzilla attacks San Francisco(filmed in Vancouver). We also get a shot of star Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Lieutenant Ford) not doing so much. Anyway, I'm sure it'll be a great scene. Godzilla opens May 16, 2014.

Source: yvrshoots

Akira Takarada in Godzilla 2014

Veteran Japanese actor Akira Takarada was photographed with Godzilla 2014 director Gareth Edwards. It appears to be an airport scene. Takarada not only appeared as the dashing young sailor Hideto Ogata as part of the love triangle in the original Gojira(1954), but in numerous sequels in the franchise spanning 50 years. In a news conference in Japan, he publicly asked for a role in the new Legendary Pictures reboot. And at the urging of fans across the world, it looks like Edwards gave him his wish. No word on what kind of part he will play(probably a cameo role). But we can't wait to see him in it.  Congratulations Takarada

Elizabeth Olsen on set of Godzilla 2014

Here are some of the first shots of Elizabeth Olsen on the set in Vancouver dressed up as San Francisco. Olsen plays Lieutenant Ford's (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) girlfriend This is the same scene we saw in a video of extras fleeing from Godzilla in the rain. Olsen and over one hundred extras got drenched by the rain tower in this scene

Godzilla stomps into theaters May 16, 2014.

Source: yvrshoots

Godzilla 2014 Spoilers and Set Video

Above is a video taken by a local resident of New Westminster, Canada of the Godzilla 2014 set. It shows the aftermath of Godzilla's (code name Nautilus) attack on San Francisco with a FEMA news conference.

Below are set photos and Spoilers on the story and cast including a call sheet.

Spoiler Alert!

Below is a call sheet from the same set of Godzilla 2014 that was photographed and leaked on-line and reveals some tantalizing details and spoilers about the story and cast. It's revealed that lead actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson will play a soldier named "Ford" and Jared Keeso will play "Jump Master". Luc Roderique, James Pizzinato, Leif Havadale, Chad Riley, Brent Connelly, Fraser Aitchesen, Jason Bell, and Donavan Kuhl will all be playing the, “San Francisco Ground Troopers”.

In addition it's revealed that the strike team called "Halo Team" is carrying some kind of bomb, a bomb tracker and a Geiger counter. Below is an excerpt from the call sheet with more details about a climactic battle scene from Godzilla 2014.

Scene 165: Int Press Conference Truman: A Government spokesperson tells civilians to get below ground.

Scene 206: Exterior San Francisco Streets: Leading the team toward the smoke. Med leading Ford into the wall of smoke. Following behind the as they approach a wall of smoke.

Scene 215: Ext SF to Wharf: Over soldiers running with bomb as Nautilus' (Godzilla) foot lands in front of them.

Scene 221: Ext. SF On The Way To Wharf: Med Ford - CHARRED & BLOODY, on his way to the wharf.

Scene 221: Ext. SF On The Way To The Wharf: Behind Ford as he turns & sees fallen Nautilus (Godzilla)

Godzilla from Legendary Pictures and director Gareth Edwards stomps into theaters May 16, 2014.


Source: Godzilla Movies

Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Bryan Cranston on Set for Godzilla 2014

Hreome great pics of Aaron Taylor-Johnson And Bryan Cranston spotted in character on the set of the new Legendary Pictures Godzilla 2014 reboot directed by Gareth Edwards. We know that Aaron Taylor-Johnson is playing the lead as a soldier (who incidentally is rumored to be joining the next Avengers movie as Quicksilver) and Bryan Cranston is his stepfather. We see the two here at a Japanese village viewing the destruction raught by Godzilla or some other kaiju.

Notice the duct tape around their wrists and ankles? I guess that is some sort of protection against radiation from Godzilla. What do you think? We know that at least part of the story takes place in Japan and it's a modern setting. These pics come from Comic Book Movie, go there to read the full article. Godzilla will be realeased May 16, 2014.















Godzilla stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olsen, Juliette Binoche, David Strathairn and Bryan Cranston. Gareth Edwards is directing the film from a screenplay by Max Borenstein, Frank Darabont and Dave Callaham. Slated to open on May 16, 2014, the film is expected to be presented in 3D.

Sally Hawkins Joins Godzilla 2014

Deadline Hollywood recently reported that British actress Sally Hawkins (Happy-Go-Lucky, Great Expectations) will join the cast of Lgendary Pictures Godzilla 2014 reboot. She will play a scientist alongside Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Ken Watanabe, David Strathairn, Brian Cranston and Juliette Binoche.

 

Actor Richard T. Jones Added to Godzilla 2014 Cast

It was recently reported at Comic Book Movie, that Event Horizon actor Richard T. Jones has been added to round out the major cast in Legendary Pictures Godzilla 2014 reboot.

"CBMers might recognize Jones as that really annoying crew member from the underrated sci-fi horror Event Horizon, and he has most recently finished up work on a Fox tv pilot called The List. Now he joins Aaron Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Bryan Cranston, David Strathairn and Ken Watanabe on Gareth Edwards' Godilla reboot. Character and plot details are still under wraps but according to Variety Jones will play a "military figure". Gareth Edwards is directing the film from a screenplay by Max Borenstein, Frank Darabont and Dave Callaham. Legendary’s Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni are producing with Mary Parent and Brian Rogers. Alex Garcia and Patricia Whitcher are serving as executive producers alongside Yoshimitsu Banno and Kenji Okuhira."

Godzilla 2014 Shooting in Nanimo, Vancouver, Canada

Here a short spot from the first days of shooting on Godzilla 2014 in Vancouver. Check out the wreckage and you can see Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Bryan Cranston in the still shot.