"There is so much writing in English on Japanese cinema that can't be accepted at face value — not because the writers are careless, but because the differences in culture and language are just too intricate. When I see August Ragone's name on a piece of writing, it gives me permission to place my faith in it completely. Among Japanese fantasy film historians, he's the best working in English." —Tim Lucas, Video Watchdog

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

TOHO'S UPCOMING "SHIN GODZILLA" REVEALED
New Info & Trailers for GODZILLA RESURGENCE!

これが『シン•ゴジラ』出現!現実 (ニッポン) 対 虚構 (ゴジラ) !!


Anno & Higuchi's "Shin Godzilla" has now been finally revealed!

On Wednesday, April 13th, Toho released the first images and trailer for the highly-anticipated GODZILLA RESURGENCE, helmed by Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi. Many had pondered whether a set of photos leaked on the 'net several months ago were legitimate (some denying them because they didn't want to accept the countenance of Anno and Higuchi's Godzilla). But, now all that becomes moot. This is our new Big G.


The red-hot heat seething through the fissures in Godzilla's hide.

Full of fire and fury (as seen in the official trailer linked below) our new Godzilla has the appearance of lava, hardened on the surface with cracks exposing a red-hot interior. While this iteration was reported to be brought to life via digital rendering and animatronic puppeteering, Toho is now touting a "full CG" monster. Conversely, the official trailer reveals some traditional miniature photography, and (of course) Anno/Higuchi's renown fetish for military hardware.


Humans can only run for their lives from the terror of Godzilla.

In today's press release, Toho also trumpets GODZILLA RESURGENCE will also boast the inclusion of 328 well-known actors in supporting and cameo appearances, including:

Kengo Kora (The Mourner), Ren Osugi (Hana-bi), Akira Emoto (Shall We Dance?), Kimiko Yo (Departures), Jun Kunimura (Gojoe), Mikako Ichikawa (Rampo Noir), Pierre Taki (Samurai Fiction), Takumi Saito (13 Assassins), Keisuke Koide (Cyborg She), Arata Furuta (Apartment 1303), and ex-AKB48 member Atsuko Maeda (The Complex), just for starters.


"I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. Anno," the Big G is such a narcissist.

The roles for the three main cast members were also revealed (and their names not quite as ridiculous as earlier mistranslations have fumbled): Hiroki Hasegawa as Rando Yaguchi, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yutaka Takenouchi as Hideki Akasaka, Aide to the Prime Minister, and Satomi Ishihara as Kayoko Ann Patterson, Special Envoy for the President of the United States.


Shot of Godzilla's dorsal plates reveal more detail from the film.

There. No super spies, psychic sisters, or suicidal soldiers seeking solace; seemingly more grounded in the vein of Koji Hashimoto's RETURN OF GODZILLA (1984), as opposed to the outlandish antics of Kensho Yamashita's GODZILLA VS SPACE GODZILLA (1994). With that being said, let's just hope it isn't a colossal bore in terms of human drama, and no sappy romantic subplot, please (yeah, I have enough aggravation).


"On wrongs, swift vengeance awaits." — Alexander Pope

GODZILLA RESURGENCE, produced by Akihiro Yamauchi, will open nationwide in Japan on July 29th and will be presented in these formats: IMAX®, 4DX®, and MX4D® giving moviegoers the ultimate sight, sound, and motion fx experience. The film's new tagline being, "Reality (Japan) vs. Fiction (Godzilla)".


GODZILLA RESURGENCE Teaser Trailer 2: 1080p (30 seconds)


GODZILLA RESURGENCE Advance Trailer: 1080p (90 seconds)

(WARNING: Be cautioned that in regards to the trailers, these are not the final visual effects shots, as the film is still in post-production. Remember that the movie is over three months away from release. Remain calm. Do not panic.)

Stay tuned to this blog for further news on GODZILLA RESURGENCE as it develops! Official website (Japanese only): shin-godzilla.jp

Here are my previous reports on GODZILLA RESURGENCE:
January 3, 2016: Toho's New "Godzilla Resurgence" Exposed
December 11, 2015: Meet the"Godzilla Resurgence" Composer
December 10, 2015: The "Godzilla Resurgence" English Poster!
December 9, 2015: Japanese Press Reveals Shin Godzilla's Size
December 9, 2015: Scoop! Teaser for "Godzilla Resurgence"
December 9, 2015: Here's Your Big G in "Godzilla Resurgence"!
November 12, 2015: "Shin Godzilla" Promo Reel Screens at AFM!"
September 22, 2015: Toho Announces Three Principal Cast Members!
September 6, 2015: Shooting Begins on Toho's "Godzilla 2016"!
August 1, 2015: Did These Men Design Toho's New Big G?
April 1, 2015: The Directors of "Godzilla 2016" Speak!
March 31, 2015: "Evangelion" Creator Helms New "Godzilla"!
December 7, 2014: The "Japanese Godzilla" Will Rise Again!

11 comments:

Battra said...

Sweet looking forward to this. Also what's the music piece playing during the trailer?

Unknown said...

I love it! I hope to see it in Japan as I will be there end of July :-)

Rik Tod Johnson said...

I've yet to see any discussion as to whether Godzilla: Resurgence will get a Western release. Any mention of this that you know of at all?

August Ragone said...

Battra, that may be part of composer Shiro Sagisu's score. Rik, if there was any hint of a North American release at this early juncture, I would've cover it — at this point, it's up to Legendary Pictures/Universal Pictures, since they have the right of "First Refusal" on GODZILLA RESURGENCE, as far as I'm aware.

Cheers,
August

Michael Nicolai said...

"Full CG"? Surely that first shot is a puppet, right? Could they just mean CG enhancement?

Unknown said...

Even with the visual effects awaiting completion, the trailer is gorgeous. And the musical cue was beautiful.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Legendary Pictures should buy the North American distribution rights, produce an English dubbed version and give it a wide release via Universal. If Legendary or Universal don't, Funimation should. They're the Gods of English dub.

David said...

Absolute shit. Guess they wanted to make one worse than we have,

In Search Of said...

I am very excited about the TOHO Godilla and love the trailer and the foreboding musical score! I think old school Godzilla fans(49 been watching since I was a wee tot in the early 70's)will love this film....just a feeling I have after watching the trailer. I can't believe people are ripping this look and this trailer. Wow. Anyway, to each his own but know that I will be supporting TOHO and any Godzilla film. Remember, wasn't too long ago that it was just a dream that we would ever see a new Toho film. Toho is the best, no one does Godzilla like the originators!!

Unknown said...

I'm glad TOHO is back in the Godzilla game. Can't wait for Shin Godzilla / Godzilla Resurgence. I wasn't too happy with Edwards take on Godzilla in the 2014 film. In fact, after watching it in the theater and paying $12 for a matinee ticket, $14 for parking, I wanted my money back. Since I couldn't get my money back I just went home and watched the original 1954 Japanese classic again to wash away the memory. Sure, it made money and I'm glad it got made but it missed the mark with many older fans like myself. I've been watching Godzilla movies since the early 70's and the story of the 2014 movie reminded me of some of Godzilla's weaker films where he was the "hero" and protector of earth. The ad campaign sold us a totally different movie of a destructive apocalyptic doom rising from the sea to battle mankind. It never happened. What we got was Godzilla the monster cop looking for the two MUTOS.