Monster Zero x SciFi Japan - Archive Only

We're all excited about Godzilla '16, but has anyone else wondered just when we'd get an official release stateside?

Funimation has got a good thing going with their limited-run, wide-releases of Dragon Ball Z and Attack on Titan only a few months after their domestic releases. I think they'd be a great distributor, partially because I love the idea of seeing it in the theater instead of waiting for the home video release.

I think that would be the smartest way to release the film, too! The success of Funimation's releases, BBC America's Doctor Who theatrical screenings, and the steady stream of classic film revivals by TCM and live Rifftrax shows (both done via Fathom Events)... it makes sense with the limited commercial appeal of foreign films but the popularity of a character like Godzilla to create one of these seemingly 'exclusive,' limited runs tailored to fans.

That's a fantastic idea and it could work out really well.

If history is to repeat itself, this 'return from hiatus' for the Japanese Godzilla will get some sort of stateside theatrical release while any subsequent films from Toho will go straight to television, home video, or perhaps streaming services.

I wouldn't expect anything like Godzilla 2000. You could see that thing ALMOST anywhere (ie, large chains like AMC and General Cinema carried it). If anything, it'd play at some specialty theaters in a limited run, akin to what DBZ Resurrection F is doing...maybe even less than that, given that Resurrection F is HUGELY successful, and it's unknown if Godzilla '16 will be THAT big (seems semi-unlikely)

My question is, who has first pass for the distribution rights? We know Toho made the deal with Legendary, partnered with Warner Brothers, to make a Hollywood Godzilla film, but does that include future Toho production distribution? Would Warner Brothers technically have to distribute it for Legendary if the deal is with them? Or does Sony still have some sort of distribution deal with Toho for future releases after all these years?

Curious.

Yeah, it'll be interesting to see not only if something gets a theatrical release but if/when it gets a home video release, will it be Sony or WB?

Or am I an idiot and it's obviously going to be Sony for home video?

I don't think Sony will probably acquire any new Godzillas, either for theatrical or video/digital distribution.

I just thought they had like first-pass rights to ANY new Toho Godzilla in perpetuity or something...or at least, that was the impression I got somehow from the way the Millennium films were released.

It will be interesting for sure.

If Sony has first dibs, they may just put it straight to Home /Digital media. If they pass...Then You have WB who is no stranger to distribution, their Japanese branch distributed the Ultra Galaxy movie in 2009. Since LP produces films (not sure if they have ever distributed one), they don't seem like a likely candidate, but you never know. Then there is Universal, LP's new partner. I think it would be cool if Universal took the opportunity to distribute this film for American audiences in anticipation for LP's sequel. Who knows, if Toho & Universal do come to terms, we could finally get an official home media release of the original Japanese version of KK vs G. Probably just wishful thinking, but this is just where the, probably mostly flawed, line of reasoning took me.

I am eager to see the new 2016 film in any format, but additionally, I hope this film finally brings us the last 9 Godzilla films on Blu Ray that yet to have a North American release.

I would think Legendary would have first dibs, no? They may not want to dilute their brand, but Godzilla fans aren't dumb. I can't imagine TOHO wouldn't seek US distribution...I can only hope its subtitled and not VO'd!

They could go the theatrical and on-demand route, its becoming a pretty legit distribution practice.

I was just going to ask this very thing. Sony has everything else from the 90s on. Or would it be WB since they are the ones releasing the new series?

Also, do you think whomever licenses it will try to have it released in theaters around the same time it comes out in Japan like anime movies and stuff are doing these days? Or do you think there will be another year gap?

If I were to hazard a guess, it'd be that if the movie ever got theatrically released in the US it would be as close as possible to the LP Godzilla sequel. Especially if Universal got the rights. Close distribution would let the two pictures feed off each other from a marketing standpoint.

I wouldn't mind to see an American release of Toho's upcoming 2016 Godzilla movie on the movie screen.

I just want my Blu ray copy with a dub and sub as soon as possible. I doubt it but if G16 goes to theaters I hope an American cut is made.

Seeing That Godzilla 2014's Domestic US Total Gross Was $200,676,069, It's A Sure Bet That The 2016 Toho Movie Will Get A US Theatrical Release...

This may sound strange, but I hope they do not to a theatrical release for Godzilla Resurgence in the US. And if they do, I hope it is a very limited release, because if they do a wide release for this movie people will mistake it for Godzilla 2, the same way people thought Godzilla 2000 was a sequel to GINO.

A really good blue-ray release with both English dub and subtitles will do just fine. If they bring in all the special features from the Japanese blue ray and simply add subtitles would be superb. And I also get the feeling that it may be Legendary/Warner Bros. who will bring it here.