New "Godzilla" Film from "Godzilla Minus One" Director

Only one year after the gigantic success of "Godzilla Minus One", director Takashi Yamazaki will be directing a new film featuring the king of the monsters.

According to Variety, though, it is not known whether this is a direct sequel. However, it's a possibility: although Godzilla was defeated at the end of "Godzilla Minus One", the final scene of the movie shows a chunk of Godzilla's flesh growing back at the bottom of the sea.

Bringing in director Yamazaki again is certainly a sign that Toho may want to tell a coherent story or perhaps even set up a new "Godzilla" film series. Whether the fates of the survivors of the predecessor will be pursued further is yet to be seen. With global box office takings of 116 million dollars, "Godzilla Minus One" was not only commercially successful; it was also praised by fans and critics. The movie was also given the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.

The Most Influential and Best-Known Films in the Godzilla Series at a Glance

Godzilla, the iconic Japanese monster, has achieved cult status in numerous movies around the world over the decades. The "King of the Monsters" was first brought to life by Toho Studios in 1954 and symbolized the fear of nuclear destruction at the time. Since then, the character has become an integral part of global cinema and has been brought to the big screen again and again in various interpretations.

1. Godzilla (1954)

The first movie, "Gojira" (known internationally as "Godzilla"), laid the foundation for the Godzilla phenomenon. Directed by Ishirō Honda and featuring groundbreaking special effects by Eiji Tsuburaya, the film brought the legendary creature to life. The story served as a warning about the consequences of nuclear power and reflected the fears that the atomic age was causing in post-war Japan. The film became an international success and made Godzilla a worldwide symbol of nuclear destruction.

2. Godzilla: King of the Monsters (1956)

"Godzilla: King of the Monsters" is an Americanized version of the 1954 original, featuring re-shot scenes with Raymond Burr as reporter Steve Martin reporting from Tokyo. The changes were intended to make the movie more accessible to American audiences. Even though the original story was altered somewhat, this version was instrumental in establishing Godzilla in the West. Although the American adaptation offered less critical depth, it introduced a wider audience to the monster.

3. Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964)

In "Mothra vs. Godzilla", the King of the Monsters meets Mothra, a giant moth that later plays an important role in the Kaiju universe itself. Director Ishirō Honda focused on impressive fight scenes and spectacles that thrilled fans. The movie became a classic and ushered in the era of monster fights in the "Godzilla" films, which became the series' trademark in the years to come.

4. Destroy all Monsters (1968)

"Destroy All Monsters" brought together almost all of Toho's famous Kaijus and had them fight together against a threat from outer space. Here, Godzilla joins forces with Mothra, Rodan and King Ghidorah against a new alien invasion. The film is a kind of all-star event of the monster genre and has become a fan favorite. With epic battles and elaborate staging, it is considered one of the most important compilations in the "Godzilla" series.

5. Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974)

"Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla" introduced Mechagodzilla, a mechanical Godzilla doppelganger controlled by alien invaders. The movie combined science fiction elements with epic battles and a touch of mystery. Mechagodzilla immediately became a cult monster and returned in numerous other films. The film also marked a change in the franchise and established the technological aspect in the "Godzilla" universe.

6. The Return of Godzilla (1984)

After a break, Godzilla came back with "The Return of Godzilla" and ushered in a new era. This movie continued the dark atmosphere of the 1954 original and ignored the more fun kaiju films of the 1960s and 1970s. The story again deals with the horrors of nuclear power and features a menacing and destructive Godzilla. The movie was a successful reboot of the series and brought the focus back to the monster's serious roots.

7. Godzilla vs. Biollante (1989)

In "Godzilla vs. Biollante", the monster battles a mutated plant created from Godzilla's own cells. This creature, Biollante, is one of the monster's most unusual opponents. The film combined biological science with science fiction and added a deeper dimension to the franchise. Biollante is considered one of the most impressive creations and clearly stands out from the other monsters Godzilla has faced so far.

8. Godzilla (1998)

Roland Emmerich's "Godzilla" was the first major Hollywood interpretation of the monster and was produced in the USA. The plot was changed considerably and the monster itself was given a new, sleeker design. However, the film met with a mixed response from critics and fans. The transformation of Godzilla into a kind of giant lizard was not well received by many fans of the original, and the monster's new look also failed to catch on. Despite its weaknesses, the movie made a lot of money worldwide and introduced the monster to a new generation of viewers.

9. Godzilla (2014)

The American reinterpretation by Gareth Edwards brought back "Godzilla" in its original form and emphasized the monster's menace and power. The movie shows Godzilla as an almost mythical force of nature that transcends mankind and achieves divine status. The epic staging and effects were praised, and the film marked the start of the so-called "MonsterVerse", which brought the battles between the great creatures back to the big screen.

10. Shin Godzilla (2016)

"Shin Godzilla", a modern Japanese adaptation, showed Godzilla in a terrifyingly realistic form. Director Hideaki Anno created a gritty version in which Godzilla evolves through several mutating forms over the course of the movie. The film uses the monster's presence to address the government's inability to respond appropriately to disasters, drawing parallels to the real-life catastrophe of the Tohoku earthquake and the Fukushima disaster of 2011.

11. Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)

"Godzilla vs. Kong" brought together two of the most famous monsters in film history and pitted them against each other. The rivalry between the two giants is staged in spectacular battles between Godzilla and King Kong. The movie is the highlight of the "MonsterVerse" to date and unites the stories of the two monsters in a gigantic showdown that thrilled fans worldwide and continued the franchise for generations to come.

12. Godzilla Minus One (2023)

"Godzilla Minus One", the latest film from 2023 by Takashi Yamazaki, once again transports Godzilla to post-war Japan. The film shows the psychological and physical effects of the monster on the population, addressing trauma and reconstruction. "Godzilla Minus One" was well received worldwide and established a new perspective on the monster, which has been reinterpreted again and again over the years.