Although data has been exhausting to return by, Toho lastly pulled again the curtain on the forthcoming sequel to 2023’s groundbreaking “Godzilla Minus One.” As a part of this 12 months’s Godzilla Day festivities, the studio formally confirmed the title for author/director Takashi Yamazaki’s follow-up. Prepare for “Godzilla Minus Zero.” The specifics largely stay elusive however we do know that the sequel shall be doing one thing no “Godzilla” film has executed in practically 20 years.
The Hollywood Reporter brings phrase that “Godzilla Minus Zero” (or “Godzilla -0.0”) shall be filming in each Norway and New Zealand later this 12 months. Solid and plot particulars stay elusive however that element itself is of significance. That is as a result of, as Godzilla-Films.com factors out, this may mark the primary time {that a} Toho-produced, Japanese-language “Godzilla” film has shot wherever exterior of Japan since director Ryuhei Kitamura’s Millennium Period 2004 entry “Godzilla: Last Wars.” The American-produced “Godzilla” films are an exception, however so far as homegrown merchandise go, it is uncommon for Toho to movie exterior of Japan.
This report additionally notes that Toho is positioning the sequel as a “assertion piece,” with a late 2026 world theatrical launch anticipated. “Godzilla Minus One” grew to become the primary film within the franchise to win an Oscar, taking dwelling the prize for Finest Visible Results. Produced on a funds of simply $15 million, it grew to become an acclaimed worldwide sensation, incomes $113 million on the world field workplace.
“Minus One” grew to become the highest-grossing Japanese “Godzilla” film ever. For a 71-year-old franchise, it was all very spectacular. As such, “Minus Zero” is an enormous deal. Toho revealed the title with a short teaser, which you’ll take a look at under. It features a new emblem and, sadly, not a lot else. However it’s greater than sufficient to stir the pot.
Godzilla Minus Zero is shaping as much as be a serious cinematic occasion
It stays unclear if Yamazaki intends to maintain the motion centered on Japan, or if he’s going to make use of the sequel to take the entire thing world. (“Minus One” happened in post-WWII Japan.) Whether or not or not any of the human characters return, or if we’ll get a brand new forged of characters, can also be up within the air. It is moreover not been revealed if Godzilla would be the solely monster on deck this time round. The ending of “Godzilla Minus One” left the King of the Monsters seemingly useless, however there was simply sufficient of a tease to make sure the franchise may proceed.
That is all unfolding as Warner Bros. and Legendary proceed to companion with Toho on the MonsterVerse films. Following the success of 2024’s “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” the studios rapidly started working on one other sequel within the type of “Godzilla x Kong: Supernova,” as a consequence of arrive in 2027.
It is all a part of the bigger second that the “Godzilla” franchise has been having fun with in recent times. Greater than seven a long time for the reason that authentic 1954 traditional arrived, the character has arguably by no means been extra widespread. The truth that Toho is filming exterior of Japan speaks volumes about how critically they’re treating Yamazaki’s sequel. To that finish, it had beforehand been confirmed the brand new movie could have a bigger funds. What precisely will the filmmakers do with that extra cash? We’ll see what comes our approach subsequent 12 months, however the prepare has left the station and the wheels are in movement.
“Godzilla Minus Zero” does not have a launch date however keep tuned.
