Could legendary co-produce godzilla movies with toho?

[Henry88]

I find it an interesting question to ask if legendary and toho could get into an agreement where they could co-produced together another Godzilla movie considering if Godzilla vs Kong does well ,and as some has suggested on smaller budgets hovering around 70 million dollars.

[lhb412]

As mentioned in another thread, I think Godzilla could easily thrive in roughly the same niche as the John Wick movies or high-profile horror films instead of trying to go after that Marvel-sized slice of the pie using Marvel-sized budgets.

The Host, Shin Godzilla, and Cloverfield all had minuscule budgets and yet turned out engaging and interesting monster films that will likely outlast the MonsterVerse ones in terms of influence. Monster movies have never been about huge budgets; they've been about creatively using the resources available to make the best movies they can. I think whoever is making Godzilla films in the future, whether it's Hollywood or Toho should well remember the old saying 'work smarter not harder'... although here 'harder' translates to 'expensive.'

[Benjamin Haines]

Inverse, 07/19/2019:
Godzilla Creator Teases the Next Movie After 'Godzilla vs. Kong'

What is Toho’s involvement in the Godzilla Monster-verse movies?

So in the past, Toho has been licensing, sort of lending Godzilla to Hollywood, and one of the things they would do is make sure the image is right, the characters are aligned, making sure we’re happy with the Godzilla that’s been represented. And that has been doing wonderfully, so we’re very excited. From this year, we actually invested as well, and we’ve been working on the creative side, so there’s a little more involvement, which has been very exciting as well.


Godzilla: King of the Monsters received mixed reviews. How excited are you for the next movie, Godzilla vs. Kong?

For this previous one, we were just thrilled, because it’s a very different type of Godzilla movie from the ones that were coming out. It’s just a blast from the beginning all the way through. Lots of action, lots of really great battle scenes, things that we could have never done that Hollywood is able to achieve.

It’s very exciting, and even the Japanese fans that have seen it, they leave the theater excited. That’s been a really great success for us and we’re really excited about the 2020 movie. It’s gonna be Godzilla, Japan made, versus King Kong, U.S. made. We can’t wait to see what the end result is going to be, but also how it’s going to be depicted on the screen.


King of the Monsters introduced a lot of classic Toho monsters. Do you have a favorite you want to see in future movies?

I do believe that Mechagodzilla has a huge impact and fanbase, and that was probably something that might be coming in the future. Personally, I love the Jaeger, so I personally hope we can see him in the movies. It’s a minority character, not many people know him.


Is Toho more focused on creating new monsters or reintroducing old ones?

That really depends on the creator. We like giving that control to the creator, whether they want to bring back an old character they have a very special connection too, or there might be some directors who want to create new monsters. Where Toho stands is, we say yes to both because they’re both exciting. We want to see the new characters come onto the big screen, but also the older characters be revived as well.

[H-Man]

I wonder if he said “Jet Jaguar” and his words were misinterpreted.

It’s also disheartening to hear, “Lots of action, lots of really great battle scenes, things that we could have never done that Hollywood is able to achieve.” I know the disparity between Japanese and Hollywood special effects tech has never been as wide as it is today but would Eiji Tsuburaya have said that? That gulf never stopped Toho’s FX artists before.

[lhb412]

There really isn't anything interesting in that guy's interview. It's all puff piece niceties as to be expected when they're still in the middle of this lucrative Hollywood contract.

What is interesting is Toho putting themselves out there to be the global face of Godzilla outside Japan. With these Hollywood movies raising Godzilla's profile worldwide I predict Toho will be more active in selling their domestically-produced Godzilla films to places like the U.S. and China.

[Henry88]

and here is another question, should toho split away from legendary when the contract is up?

[daikaijusaurus]

and here is another question, should toho split away from legendary when the contract is up?

I would say yes to that only if Toho starts a brand new series of Godzilla movies done in a "traditional" way. As much as I enjoyed Shin Godzilla, I don't want more movies that drastically alters Godzilla to such a degree. What I would love to see would be in the vain of the Hesei series, with each movie being continued to the next. And the movies should be released 2-3 years apart instead of the rushed movie every year. If Toho is planning their own cinematic universe (Kaijuverse? ) after Godzilla Vs Kong, I wouldn't mind seeing other standalone kaiju movies every year or so. And hopefully this time, they won't be using Mothra, Ghidorah, and Mechagodzilla over and over again. New monsters would definitely be nice.

[XvGojira]

and here is another question, should toho split away from legendary when the contract is up?

I would say yes to that only if Toho starts a brand new series of Godzilla movies done in a "traditional" way. As much as I enjoyed Shin Godzilla, I don't want more movies that drastically alters Godzilla to such a degree. What I would love to see would be in the vain of the Hesei series, with each movie being continued to the next. And the movies should be released 2-3 years apart instead of the rushed movie every year. If Toho is planning their own cinematic universe (Kaijuverse? ) after Godzilla Vs Kong, I wouldn't mind seeing other standalone kaiju movies every year or so. And hopefully this time, they won't be using Mothra, Ghidorah, and Mechagodzilla over and over again. New monsters would definitely be nice.

Awhile back Toho announce that after GvK they planned on starting their own series of movies, I heard it be called The World of Godzilla or something, but the intent was to be like the MCU where there were Godzilla movies, other solo monster movies (Mothra and Ghidorah were mentioned), and crossover/VS movies. They said they wanted to release one every other year, but did say that they usually preferred year releases.

[daikaijusaurus]

Let's say that next year, Godzilla Vs. Kong is also a disappointment at the box office, but still makes enough money to warrant a continuation (of some kind) of the MonsterVerse. What I think would really be cool is an animated series that continues the MonsterVerse stories, and since the series is a co-production with Toho and Legendary, Kong, as well as other Toho Monsters, make regular appearances. Netflix would be an obvious choice for the show to premiere. Since Toho has said that they intend to continue the MonsterVerse in one form or another, I think an animated series would definitionally be in the cards. My hope is for it to be traditionally animated instead of all CG, but a hybrid of both would be great as well. I don't read comics as much as I use too, but a comic series tie in would be cool as well.

Anyway, just wanted to share my thoughts.

[lhb412]

I think an animated Godzilla film aimed at kids (ala SpiderVerse) would be a great idea. How many fans are fans because they watched the '60s - '70s film's on TV as kids?

[klen7]

^ that could be awesome in the right hands.

[lhb412]

^ I was thinking the other day about how I'd make another go at trying to adapt Godzilla for widespread US appeal and I decided I'd do two projects: animated movie for kids and prestige HBO miniseries for adults. Target different audiences to engineer widespread appeal for the character.

[TerranigmaFreak]

Am I crazy for wanting Travis Knight to direct the next Godzilla movie? Bumblebee was such a good movie and shows he knows how to do a beloved franchise justice.

[Benjamin Haines]

^ A stop-motion Godzilla film made by Laika would be quite a treat!

[klen7]

^^ Great choice.

^ Laika would be interesting, Aardman could be a fun one as well, I'd really be down for a Henson shop adaptation (i know... Disney)

[daikaijusaurus]

^^ Great choice.

^ Laika would be interesting, Aardman could be a fun one as well, I'd really be down for a Henson shop adaptation (i know... Disney)

I would rather have Disney stay as far away as possible from anything related to Godzilla. It would be a complete nightmare if Disney ever bought Toho!

[Outkaster]

I would just worry of the philosophical differences. The budgets would be more which could be a good thing.

[Rody]

^^ Great choice.

^ Laika would be interesting, Aardman could be a fun one as well, I'd really be down for a Henson shop adaptation (i know... Disney)

I would rather have Disney stay as far away as possible from anything related to Godzilla. It would be a complete nightmare if Disney ever bought Toho!

Does Disney have any say on the Creature Shop, though? I think Jim Henson studios is mostly independent these days.

As someone who's catching up on The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance right now, I would love, love, LOVE to see the Creature Shop collaborate on a Godzilla film! (or how about an Ultra show?) I also think that smaller productions would be a benefit to the franchise; KOTM might have under-performed, but it still made a lot of money, and the talent exists out there to deliver a solid spectacle for less expense.

[Jinzo Ningen]

I think an animated Godzilla film aimed at kids (ala SpiderVerse) would be a great idea. How many fans are fans because they watched the '60s - '70s film's on TV as kids?

Guessing I am in the VAST minority here, but I would love to see a big screen animated version of the HB series. Just with a better design sense. The late 90's show was almost a straight up rip-off of the HB core concept, only with a cast of whiny bickering dysfunctional characters. I'm pretty sick of this; there's enough dysfunction in the world. For achange how about seeing folks who actually enjoy each other's company and (more or less) get along well together. Let the conflict come from the OUTSIDE, rather than from within. [stepping off soapbox ]

[daikaijusaurus]

I actually love the idea of a continuation of the old HB cartoon show. I loved that old show back when I was a kid and I still love it now. The only thing I would change is instead of making Godzilla a superhero, make him more like a force of nature like the Hesei series. But that's just me.

I also have to admit that I did enjoy Godzilla the Series from the late 90s. Sure, it was GINO, but still it was enjoyable. And I see your point about the dysfunctional characters, I'm kind of sick of that too.

Guessing I am in the VAST minority here, but I would love to see a big screen animated version of the HB series. Just with a better design sense. The late 90's show was almost a straight up rip-off of the HB core concept, only with a cast of whiny bickering dysfunctional characters. I'm pretty sick of this; there's enough dysfunction in the world. For achange how about seeing folks who actually enjoy each other's company and (more or less) get along well together. Let the conflict come from the OUTSIDE, rather than from within. [stepping off soapbox ]

[XvGojira]

there's enough dysfunction in the world. For achange how about seeing folks who actually enjoy each other's company and (more or less) get along well together. Let the conflict come from the OUTSIDE, rather than from within. [stepping off soapbox ]

I don't remember it being that dysfunctional. The biggest rift they had that I can recall was because of psychic alien interference making them hate on one another, which is technically an outside force. Sure you had Randy mess with the other dude's robot constantly but to me that no different than Carlos' terrible puns in The Magic School Bus, Slimer in The Real Ghostbusters, or the kid and the monkey always hiding in Speed Racer's trunk. He's a bit of a prankster and the bot is his foil, it's just shtick.

In my opinion most internal conflicts in more modern shows are there to change the characters over the span of the show. Shows with static characters than never deviate from S01E01 to Series Finale, aren't popular any more. As much as we love the shows we grew up with that had the characters in rigid characterization and every episode ended with the status quo to be broke by the villains at the beginning of the next episode, those days are gone. Or mostly anyway, the guest star focused Scooby-Doo and Guess Who series is par for the course for Scooby shows and I'm sure there's a few others out there.

[Benjamin Haines]

I think an animated Godzilla film aimed at kids (ala SpiderVerse) would be a great idea. How many fans are fans because they watched the '60s - '70s film's on TV as kids?

Guessing I am in the VAST minority here, but I would love to see a big screen animated version of the HB series. Just with a better design sense.

I fully support this idea only if Godzilla's roars are the exact same recordings of Ted Cassidy going "RRRROOOOOAAAARRRRHHH" that they used for every episode of the show.

[Jinzo Ningen]

I think an animated Godzilla film aimed at kids (ala SpiderVerse) would be a great idea. How many fans are fans because they watched the '60s - '70s film's on TV as kids?

Guessing I am in the VAST minority here, but I would love to see a big screen animated version of the HB series. Just with a better design sense.

I fully support this idea only if Godzilla's roars are the exact same recordings of Ted Cassidy going "RRRROOOOOAAAARRRRHHH" that they used for every episode of the show.

Hah! That's right. Forgot that Lurch was the voice of Godzilla. He was a busy (unseen) man in the late 70's. Such a shame he passed far too soon.

The show had so much more potential than what the format allowed. There's a HUGE mine still left to explore. The 90's show dug a little deeper and while Zilla wasn't Godzilla, at least they gave him back his breath AND made him more of an interesting character, and more heroic. (In a way he was sort of like a slightly more grown up Godzuki. )

[Benjamin Haines]

^ As a '90s kid, I watched reruns of Hanna-Barbera's Godzilla on Cartoon Network but the Fox Kids series was something I kept up with from the start. They did really solid work with that show. I always liked how the five lead characters just became a kind of surrogate family to each other even though they didn't have to. They stuck together because they wanted to.