As a lifelong cinema enthusiast who has witnessed the evolution of Toho’s iconic Godzilla franchise over the decades, I am beyond excited about the potential that lies ahead with the upcoming Godzilla Minus One follow-up. While it would be easy to simply churn out a sequel, I believe that the best course of action for Toho is to expand upon the universe they’ve created and explore new stories within this freshly minted Reiwa era.
In simple terms, “Godzilla Minus One” stands out as the most profitable and praised Godzilla film in Toho’s 70-year franchise history, marking the beginning of a fresh universe suitable for the contemporary Reiwa period. This particular Godzilla movie, unique in Toho’s Kaiju history, was the first Godzilla film for the new Reiwa era and the only one to win an Academy Award. Given its significance, it comes as no surprise that Toho is collaborating with writer and director Takashi Yamazaki once more on a new Godzilla project.
As a dedicated cinema enthusiast, my initial thoughts upon hearing the news about a new Godzilla film might lean towards a direct sequel to “Godzilla Minus One.” However, given the unprecedented impact of the first movie, it’s unlikely that a follow-up could match its brilliance. Instead, Yamazaki finds himself grappling with the weight of success. In my opinion, the wisest course of action would be to step away from a new sequel and instead, “Godzilla Minus One” should serve as the foundation for a broader Godzilla universe tailored for the Reiwa era of films.
Godzilla Minus One Should Take a Cue From the MonsterVerse
Similar to how Legendary’s Monsterverse combined concepts from Toho’s classic Godzilla eras (Showa, Heisei, and Millennium) to create a new universe, it seems logical for Toho to follow suit with its upcoming Godzilla film. The success of Godzilla Minus One suggests that we might expect a similar approach in the next movie. Instead of being a direct sequel continuing the narrative of the first film, this new entry could introduce a fresh set of characters and an engaging new storyline. However, it’s not necessary to discard everything from the previous film; elements can be carried forward to maintain continuity.
In this new iteration of Godzilla, there’s a strong possibility it could spark a wave of revamped versions of other Toho monsters, given its activity during the post-World War II Japan period might awaken some dormant creatures in the region. Previously, the franchise has hinted at these interconnections, but with its global reach, Toho is ideally situated to establish a distinct Godzilla universe of their own. Notably, this wouldn’t collide with Legendary’s Monsterverse, as they are progressively concentrating on Kong and their original Titans. This leaves ample room for Toho’s iconic monsters like Hedorah, Gigan, Megalon, among others, to receive the reboots fans have eagerly anticipated—with these characters yet to appear in modern times.
It Would Open the Floor to More Creators
After the tremendous success of “Godzilla Minus One“, it would be wiser not to follow up with a sequel but rather invite more creators to contribute their own interpretations of Godzilla. The longevity of the Godzilla franchise can be attributed to different creative teams each bringing their unique vision of Godzilla. With a new universe established by “Godzilla Minus One“, it’s beneficial to allow other creators to explore and showcase their own versions of the iconic giant. This is why Yamazaki’s interpretation has been so successful – it offers a fresh, unique perspective.
Creating a universe based on one concept may seem like it excludes other creative ideas, but it’s absolutely feasible given the abundance of popular giant monsters fans yearn to see. Other creators can enter this realm and develop alternate World War II versions of their beloved characters. Over time, these narratives could intertwine, leading to epic showdowns among all of them in the future. However, if that’s not the preferred direction, Yamazaki could instead broaden the current vision in upcoming films, encompassing a wider array of themes and storylines.
Godzilla Minus One Could Continue Outward Rather Than Forward
In a message to his fans after announcing his return for the next “Godzilla” movie, director Takashi Yamazaki acknowledged the challenging position he finds himself in, as he follows up such a highly successful film. He admitted that “Godzilla Minus One” exceeded expectations, but with this success comes numerous obstacles. Feeling the weight of these challenges, Yamazaki expressed concern that this might be the most difficult situation he’s faced yet. To tackle this challenge, Yamazaki is considering a new approach – expanding the narrative to include various characters from across Japan, which could open up a myriad of fresh storylines.
One reason “Godzilla Minus One” was so effective in captivating audiences was its emphasis on the deeply human tale of Shikishima and Noriko, navigating their relationship amidst the chaos and suffering of war. By broadening the narrative to encompass additional characters across Japan, the portrayal of this particular Godzilla would naturally evolve as well. By focusing more on humanity, viewers will experience a greater sense of fear from Godzilla itself. The scenes depicting the devastation wreaked by the kaiju resonated due to our empathy, and further installments within this same universe could potentially deepen that connection.
Instead of beginning anew altogether, Godzilla Minus One could initiate a brand-new universe for Toho. This way, the Reiwa era can present itself as distinct from past eras, potentially increasing the likelihood of success for future films in the series.
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2024-11-06 04:40