Although data has been arduous to come back 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 will likely be doing one thing no “Godzilla” film has finished in practically 20 years.
The Hollywood Reporter brings phrase that “Godzilla Minus Zero” (or “Godzilla -0.0”) will likely 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, it will mark the primary time {that a} Toho-produced, Japanese-language “Godzilla” film has shot wherever outdoors of Japan since director Ryuhei Kitamura’s Millennium Period 2004 entry “Godzilla: Closing Wars.” The American-produced “Godzilla” films are an exception, however so far as homegrown merchandise go, it is uncommon for Toho to movie outdoors 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” turned the primary film within the franchise to win an Oscar, taking house the prize for Greatest Visible Results. Produced on a price range of simply $15 million, it turned an acclaimed worldwide sensation, incomes $113 million on the world field workplace.
“Minus One” turned the highest-grossing Japanese “Godzilla” film ever. For a 71-year-old franchise, it was all very spectacular. As such, “Minus Zero” is a giant deal. Toho revealed the title with a short teaser, which you’ll try under. It features a new brand and, sadly, not a lot else. But it surely’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 targeted on Japan, or if he’s going to make use of the sequel to take the entire thing world. (“Minus One” occurred in post-WWII Japan.) Whether or not or not any of the human characters return, or if we’ll get a brand new solid 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 lifeless, however there was simply sufficient of a tease to make sure the franchise might 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 set to work on one other sequel within the type of “Godzilla x Kong: Supernova,” attributable to 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 because the unique 1954 basic arrived, the character has arguably by no means been extra in style. The truth that Toho is filming outdoors of Japan speaks volumes about how severely they’re treating Yamazaki’s sequel. To that finish, it had beforehand been confirmed the brand new movie could have a bigger price range. What precisely will the filmmakers do with that more money? We’ll see what comes our method subsequent 12 months, however the prepare has left the station and the wheels are in movement.
“Godzilla Minus Zero” would not have a launch date however keep tuned.
