Mahiro Maeda to design 2016 Godzilla?

This just keeps getting better and better.

From the article posted:

"Ragone explains

At least, this is the information coming out of our sources connected to the production. If all of this news pans out to be true, we could be in for something not only fresh and original, but also truly scary; which as imposing and impressive the recent Godzilla designs have been, they all lacked the fear that the original invoked. According to one of the people close to the production, who wanted to remain anonymous, “(This new) Godzilla is based on the original (1954 version), but is going to be… frightening.”"

(Emphasis mine)

This, if true, just made my month.

That Mahiro Maeda designed the kaiju from the Heisei Gamera Films is enough in itself. 

Then, Takayuki Takeya rumored to be sculpting the maquette.  

Good God, this is fantastic news.

I hope it's all true. I'm looking forward to news of the production of this film in a way I could not adequately describe.

I'm going to go back and reread the article on August's blog, and then pinch myself. Just to make sure. It's that good. I couldn't even finish it the first time. I had to get up and walk around.

JAMAAL - Indeed! Words can not begin to express how utterly delighted I am for the fact that the new Gozilla design will be (according to the article) based directly upon the original - but made far more terrifying! The information being presented is starting to paint a very excellent picture of what Toho have in store for us! :)

@Something Real

Thank you for posting this, this most welcomed news!

Something Real,
Not sure if you overlooked it, but this information about Maeda designing Godzilla was actually in the article we posted that you commented on:

Shooting Starts on Godzilla 2016 Soon! New Design to Update 1954 Original

GMAN2887 - ....Oh, my gosh! You are right! Ugh! I am so, so sorry for having presented this duplicate information! I am such an oaf! I completely forgot about that topic! Please, forgive my oversight! I will do my best in the future to make more certain of subject duplication! :(

Haha, it's not a big deal. It's still a great conversation to bring to the table regardless. I was just unsure if you had forgotten or simply overlooked it.

"That Mahiro Maeda designed the kaiju from the Heisei Gamera Films is enough in itself."

Those designs always felt mature in both their "cool" factor and their horror elements. There was always a different flavor with the Gamera trilogy kaiju, particularly Legion and Iris. I hope he can bring that to Godzilla.

"Those designs always felt mature in both their "cool" factor and their horror elements. There was always a different flavor with the Gamera trilogy kaiju, particularly Legion and Iris. I hope he can bring that to Godzilla."

I have wondered for some time, how a Godzilla design, influenced by, or similar to, the Heisei Gamera designs would look and act. Actually, this started after seeing Gamera: Guardian of the Universe in 1997. I hope that the edginess, if you will, of those great kaiju designs will be realized in the Toho Godzilla film. The Gamera 3: Revenge of Irys design is one of my favorite kaiju designs of any series, period.

The way the news has been reported gives one hope that it is true. This could not be better news: a Godzilla evocative of the horror-filled, thrilling original masterpiece.

With Mahiro Maeda designing Godzilla and Takayuki Takeya sculpting, we could be on the cusp of something great, astounding even. We know it's going to be shocking and visually stunning.

I am really grateful for these developments.

These are great times, thank God.

GMAN2887 - Thank you so much for your understanding. I can not believe I utterly forgot about that topic! Regardless, you are quite right; it is an extremely compelling bit of information! There is no doubt that Maeda will bring forth a stunning image of Godzilla! I am still mortified by my oversight, the information is on the bloody front page of SCIFIED, for the love of Pete! Ugh! Even so, I shall do better in the future. :)

Regardless, it's a topic deserving of attention. Maeda and Takeya designing Godzilla is huge. Bigger than anyone that was onboard the 2014 film which is what unhinges my jaw so much about this information.

People talk about budgets and immediately think of special effects, but... these guys aren't cheap! They're huge talents.

GMAN2887 - Indeed! It is astounding that Toho decided to bring them onboard for this project - all the more reason for me to suspect that this is going to be a major undertaking for them. I have a sinking suspicion that Toho are interested in "rebranding" Godzilla as the nightmare beast from the original film rather than continue with the anti-hero angle. If that is so, I absolutely can not wait for each of us to see it! I only hope that it is not too frightening - I would like to be able to sleep after watching it! :)

@Jamaal,

I think it's safe to say that we are getting "that terrifying radiation containing atrocious Godzilla!" I took that quote from Dr. Yamane in Godzilla raids again. :)

If this is all holding true, and I think it is, then the men who made 3 of the greatest kaiju films to date, The Gamera heisei trilogy, are going to handle Godzilla with the proper care and the treatment he deserves. After talking to August Ragone myself, I think he said it better than anyone. "It will be something unique and completely original at the same time." 

My Godzilla hopes are reaching their peak. 

So I think we can settle on this being a solo film. So an updated version of 1954, what makes me curious about this is if his height will stay the same as the original? Will the eyes be the same? Teeth? So much to wonder about, I guess we will have to wait and see.

@Huge-Ben

"My Godzilla hopes are reaching their peak. "

This about says it for me too.

With this latest news added to the fact that Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi are helming Toho Godzilla 2016, well, as a fan, I could not ask for more. (Well, being in Tokyo during the production, at Toho Studios would be nice. Then, of course, there's being in Japan next summer.) 

I'm looking forward to the information flow that comes with lensing the film. Even the mere anticipation of news: details about the story, the actors, design photos, official posters and other publicity-related items make this a great time to be a fan. We know that we're approaching a point in the film's production trajectory where things begin to become clear. I expect the official press conference in the not so distant future.

Dear Toho: please make available as much about this Godzilla. Film everything. An internet feed of the production of a scene, without giving away too much, of course, would be nice. An English version of the Godzilla 2016 website would be an excellent idea. When the official press conference is held, please post it online. Thank you.

"As much as possible...."

Sorry. My mind is racing with thoughts about this film.

AMAZING!!! Thanks for sharing this SR!

SCI-FI KING25 - You are most welcome! :)

@Jamaal,

Nice letter to Toho. :)

If you're like me then you should be having the idea that this will be a solo Godzilla film. I mean, to me it makes perfect sense. They told legendary to include other monsters in order for them (Toho)  to make the solo film. Its been 31 years now, 32 counting next year, since the last solo Godzilla film from Toho. We really can't jump to conclusions just yet because they may give us another monster in the film, but, with the news we have now, it's looking doubtful. Then again I've been wrong in the past. If it is indeed a solo film and when they announce it, I think I'll jump out my house through the roof in excitement.

Will it be a remake of 54'? No. After talking to August Ragone, he pretty much told me that "No, it will be something new yet original at the same time. If it's going to be solo, then the titular character should be streamlined." He also told me that at this point it's unclear on exactly what they are going to do.

As the fan I am, I'm dying for that terrifying monster that struck fear in the hearts of millions during 1954. All we can do now though is sit and wait. Which shouldn't be too much longer. Gman2887 and I talked privately on Twitter and we both felt strong that August and September would be when things start picking up.

@Huge-Ben

"As the fan I am, I'm dying for that terrifying monster that struck fear in the hearts of millions during 1954. All we can do now though is sit and wait. Which shouldn't be too much longer. Gman2887 and I talked privately on Twitter and we both felt strong that August and September would be when things start picking up."

Agreed on all points here. I'm anticipating a characterization similar to what you described above. It would seem, that a solo film would be in the works, given the staements of Anno, Higuchi and the annonymous 'source' at Toho.

It should be an interesting Autumn.

Here's Mahiro Maeda's filmography at Anime News Network:

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=1652