Mahiro Maeda to design 2016 Godzilla?

@Jamaal,

Abc news reported that Shinji Higuchi is doing the combination of Tokusatsu and CGI effects. So, it's going to be what the Gamera trilogy delivered.  

Late Autumn and maybe early winter could be a great possibility of seeing a trailer. 

In other news as well Jamaal, attack on titan ranked number 1 in the box office in Japan. Beating DreamWorks minions. So, if this bit of news helps, Godzilla next year should be something very monumental and just down right awesome. I'm hoping it's very successful and that, if lucky, us Americans can get a release here in select theaters across the U.S.A. 

Imagine Godzilla next year giving us a slap in the face of outstanding special effects, great acting (depending on who the cast is) great story, and leaving us drooling for more eye brow raising, continuous knock out money shots. 

Is it possible we could say hello to the great DaiKaiju of the 50's and 60's again? 

@Huge-Ben

"Abc news reported that Shinji Higuchi is doing the combination of Tokusatsu and CGI effects. So, it's going to be what the Gamera trilogy delivered."

This is what I wanted to hear. When you add to this news about the directors, the production design and the sculpter, well, I could not be happier. Tokusatsu and CGI. Yes. Thank you.

I love the Heisei Gamera films. The enjoyment and satisfaction they provide, on so many levels, and with such depth, is incredible. And now, it's Godzilla's turn to get this kind of treatment, attention and care. This is not to discount, in any way, Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack. No, certainly not. But it's a new day at Toho. There's a new regime, fresh and with, as far as one can see, a new energy.   

The Gamera trilogy is just 3 of the greatest DaiKaiju films ever. Yes. It's Godzillas turn! 

What you just added Jamaal about Gmk is only 1 of many reasons to love it. It amazes me just how many missed the boat with what they did with Gmk. Shusuke Kaneko gave us his Godzilla. He has talked to Toho back in the late 60's and early 70's about making his Godzilla film. It didn't happen until 2001. However, it may be highly overrated by some but to me, it's my 7th favorite Godzilla film and is the best of the millennium series.

Now, it's Shinji Higuchis turn to give us his Godzilla and we are in good hands. Him and his team who worked on the Gamera trilogy made 6 of the top suits in history. The nightmare Gamera of Ionas dream was something very unique yet terrifying in its own right. So, Godzilla next year although updated of the 54' original should look very spectacular and most of all intimidating. As if the 54' original wasn't scary enough, then what has Shinji Higuchi got up his sleeve for Godzilla? I truly can not wait.

My hunch is telling me around October will be the month his full design is leaked. 

Another great film is Ultraman the next. So, Shinji Higuchi has the abilities to make Godzilla just great, but I would love for Tsuburaya pro to give a shot as well. If you haven't watched Ultraman the next, you don't know what you're missing. If you have then you know what I'm talking about. For those who haven't, you'll need a change of shorts. Hell, I did. Great film.

"Is it possible we could say hello to the great DaiKaiju of the 50's and 60's again?" 

Yes, Huge-Ben: I think we are on the verge of such an era, given the hands the new Godzilla is in. The new about Attack On Titan is excellent! A limited theatrical run for Godzilla would be great. I was able, thank God, to see several Godzilla films at screenings at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood in the early 2000's. I cannot begin to describe the atmosphere, the electricity at those screenings. I would love to experience that again with the new Toho Godzilla. And I want that for everyone who posts here (and those who don't, for that matter) and all fans (and fans to be). 

If able, God willing, I would travel (a reasonable distance) to attend a screening. I would love to see the film in Japan during it's theartical run. But, this is an exciting time. I look forward to enjoying it and discussing it with my brother and sister fans here.

Godzilla and tokustasu have been described as being 'niche' genres. If the people making this film are able to bring their considerable talents and gifts to bear, then the 'niche' may just be expanded.  

"However, it may be highly overrated by some but to me, it's my 7th favorite Godzilla film and is the best of the millennium series."

For me, GMK is one of the top four films in the Series. One can only wonder what Shusuke Kaneko could have done with a production schedule akin to what he had at Daiei for his Gamera films.

Still waiting for you to join Twitter Jamaal. :)

I don't know about you but, I would love to see Yukijiro Hotaru play a role in this film. Loved him in the Gamera and gmk films.

"I don't know about you but, I would love to see Yukijiro Hotaru play a role in this film. Loved him in the Gamera and gmk films."

Me too! He's kind of like family. Yes, it would be good to see him as a kind of tip-of-the-hat to his work in kaiju films of the last twent years or so.  

The writer of the article below expressed some sentiments that perhaps many fans have, especially regarding the Toho and Legendary Godzilla films:

http://www.joblo.com/horror-movies/news/tohos-godzilla-2016-will-terrify-with-cutting-edge-effects-222

Anyway, it was nice to read, especially the parts about how Godzilla will be portrayed.

JAMAAL - That is an incredibly encouraging bit of information! I am so very excited for this film! I have my fingers crossed that Godzilla (2016) will be everything that we want! :)

SOMETHING REAL:

This was the best part of the article:

"Although Godzilla has often been portrayed as a hero in his movies, it sounds like Higuchi and Anno will be taking him back to his horrific roots. Animator/designer Mahiro Maeda and sculptor Takayuki Takeya are said to be working on a frightening design for the King of the Monsters that's based on his appearance in the original 1954 GODZILLA, and in a recent AP interview Higuchi promised that the film will feature the most terrifying version of Godzilla possible."

"Most terrifying version of Godzilla possible." Shinji Higuchi has promised this. And, he's come through so far!

This, is so sweet.

Actually, the whole article was great.

I get the feeling, that as good as Legendary Godzilla 2014 was, Toho is looking to up the ante, so to speak, horror-wise. We all know what Shinji Higuchi can do with traditional effects enhanced by CGI. He's promising a terrifying version of Godzilla, based on the 1954 design. This fan could not be happier. It's like a lightbulb came on,and everything became crystal clear as to how to bring this iconic giant monster back to the screen.

I'm thinking more and more that it's going to be a solo film. This is not based on anything other than a gut feeling. But, if there is another kaiju, there would be no complaints here.

JAMAAL - You said it! The fact that they are working on what I am hoping will amount to the most destructive and frightening incarnation of Godzilla to date leaves me hard pressed to not giggle and bounce with joy! Certainly, I will forever hold Edwards' Godzilla in hight esteem - even if that regard is mostly due to the fact that it spurred Toho to get back in the game and produce thier own contestant for King of the Monsters! :)

I believe that there are things regarding Godzilla that only Toho can do. It isn't simply a matter of budget or resources. It's a lot more. I believe, empirically and intuitively, that it is a matter of Toho having, through Honda, Tsuburaya, Ifukube, and all the others who helped to make that classic, inimitable film, started a genre. This is something that cannot be replicated, no matter how much a studio has at its disposal in terms of resources, talent and technology. Godzilla is Japan's and Toho's. That they are making a Godzilla film is only right and just. Everything about this project seems so right. It's like something has been restored to us, the fans of this incredible, fantastic series of films.

Having said this, when I look at the artists connected to this film, their love for the character and the genre, the tradition and the artistry and craftsmanship, I am amazed, but also very grateful that this is happening.

@Jamaal,

I really don't know what to say about what you said in your last post. It's going to be the rebirth that us fans have desired for a very long time now. The rebirth of the great DaiKaiju Godzilla who brought about the likes of Gamera, Ultraman, yongary, etc. The monster of monsters that broke his way to the big screen as the fearsome beast that struck fear in the hearts of millions. Godzilla next year should be that, "the greatest worst nightmare." 

Hm, guess I'm the only one who saw this and didn't really care much.

Really? 

Well, here's a reason to be excited about a Mahiro Maeda design of Godzilla. This is from a review of Gamera 3: Revenge of Irys, after discussing the human characters (which were great, endowed with depth:

"But enough about all that. What about the monsters?

Well, there’s Gamera, for one, who’s new upgrade is a thing of beauty. Gone is any semblance of his 1960s self. Tusks jut out from a mouth full of teeth. His fireballs are numerous and destructive. His shell is a shape-changing shield of overlapping armor. This is Gamera as he always should have looked, brought to life by a smooth combination of suitmation and strategic CGI. The fusion is seamless and dynamic, with Gamera maintaining a level of believability I wouldn’t have thought possible ten years ago. As send-offs go, the old turtle could not have asked for better.

The Anti-Gamera, Iris, fulfills its (his?) role to the letter. Fluid instead of awkward; sharp instead of blunt; Iris is the most visually interesting giant monster since Gigan…and come to think of it, the two have a lot in common. Both have a single eye and edged appendages. But while Gigan is a child of 1970s design sense, Iris is very much the child of today, alien in an Lovecraftian, cephalopodic way. As vicious and reptilian as Gamera appears, at least he still resembles a creature from this planet. I hope who ever came up with Iris’ final design (that would be creature designer Mahiro Maeda) earned themselves a box of cookies."(Emphasis mine)

Here's the link to the review:

http://aytiws.com/2004/03/gamera-3-the-revenge-of-iris-1999/

So yes, this is for many, the most anticpated Godzilla in several years.

I think this Godzilla, as designed by Mahiro Maeda and directed by Shini Higuchi, will be interesting, evokative of the Shodai-Goji, but updated in a stunning way at the same time. I think this Godzila will be, "brought to life by a smooth combination of suitmation and strategic CGI. The fusion is seamless and dynamic..." 

It's the blending of these two techniques, practical and digital, called a hybrid by Shinji Higuchi, that's makes this film so exciting. That, along with the hands that it's been entrusted to. Oh my God, the talent that's been brought to bear for Godzilla! This is amazing. Then, there's the prospect of an intense, appropriately complex, but interestingly written story, with characters that are meaningful and riveting. All this, and more in a giant monster movie. In fact, the giant monster, featuring the greatest science fiction character of all time.