Promise Broken: "Godzilla" Blu-ray Is Sans Akira Takarada

by Armand Vaquer

Godzilla is now out in home video. But, Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. reneged on their promise to include Akira Takarada's cut scene from the Blu-ray edition of Godzilla.

Frankly, I don't find this surprising, but fans were told when word came out about Takarada's scene being cut that the scene would be included in the Blu-ray edition. Well, it's not there! (I have not purchased it yet, so I am relying on reliable sources.)

Above, the cut scene featuring Akira Takarada. Photo: Legendary Pictures/Warner Bros.

One fan wrote in Facebook:

Nearly Everyone involved promised Takarada-san's scene would be on the Blu-Ray. I have seen it in writing and I have it in writing myself. So I am waiting. Picture quality is not the issue for me. No Takarada scene is a deal breaker for me. I hope for a directors/extended cut later. Who knows. It will not be the first time the studio was somewhat less than respectful to the fans.

The Blu-ray and DVD discs of Godzilla has been met with mixed reviews. Some say the movie plays too dark and has noise, while others say it plays just fine. I suppose it depends upon the player and television monitor one is using.

It is my understanding that there's a special edition of the Blu-ray at Target department stores featuring a 30-minute featurette titled, "Rebirth of an Icon." In order to get it, one must buy the disc with the view of Godzilla's backside (or spines) on the box art (I've read).

Still, is it disappointing that Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. broke their word pertaining to Akira Takarada's scene.

"Godzilla" Coming To Blu-Ray By Year's End

by Armand Vaquer

Above, will Akira Takarada's cut scene be included as an extra? Photo: Legendary Pictures/Warner Bros.

It looks like we'll have Godzilla (2014) on Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D before the end of the year.

According to High-Def Digest:

The legendary monster is stomping toward Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D later this year. 

In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Bros. is preparing 'Godzilla (2014)' and 'Godzilla - 3D (2014)' for Blu-ray in 2014.

The article states that specs, supplements and suggested retail price hasn't been detailed yet. I would hazard a guess that the discs will be out by Christmas.

It is interesting that the article makes no mention of DVD.

To read the full article, go here. 

New "Godzilla & Hiroshima" Trailer Released

by Armand Vaquer





Spanish producer and director Jonathan Bellés has unveiled a new trailer for his doctoral project documentary, Godzilla & Hiroshima: The Rise of Kaiju Eiga.

The trailer, with an original music score, features Godzilla suit-actors Haruo Nakajima and Kenpachiro Satsuma, actor Akira Takarada and directors Shusuke Kaneko and Masaaki Tezuka.

The trailer also features shots of the Lucky Dragon No. 5, the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima, the torii gate at Miyajima as well as the Godzilla statue and the Seven Samurai mural at the main entrance of Toho Studios in Setagaya, Tokyo.

Above, Jonathan Bellés at the Godzilla statue in Hibiya, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I joined Bellés in Japan last February when he began his interviews, starting with special effects Eiichi Asada (Godzilla x Mechagodzilla, Godzilla x Mothra x Mechagodzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. and Godzilla Final Wars) and first assistant special effects director Yoshikazu Ishii (Godzilla Final Wars). 

Jonathan Bellés Making Progress On "Godzilla & Hiroshima" Documentary

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Jonathan Bellés with Eiichi Asada at Toho Studios. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Jonathan Bellés, who is currently hard at work in Japan conducting interviews for his upcoming documentary, Godzilla and Hiroshima: The Rise of Kaiju Eiga, has already interviewed the following (whose names kaiju fans should be familiar with): Akira Takarada, Koichi Kawakita, Eiichi Asada, Kenpachiro Satsuma, Yoshikazu Ishii, Shusuke Kaneko and Teruyoshi Nakano.

Last week, I joined Bellés at Toho Studios when he conducted the first two interviews (Eiichi Asada and Yoshikazu Ishii) and was his guide around the Hibiya and Ginza sections of Tokyo. We found that the Lucky Dragon No. 5 exhibit was closed for the day when we arrived. Bellés said he would go back on another day.

Along with the interviews with the aforementioned (and more to come), Bellés plans to take a trip to Hiroshima to visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum.

Son of Monsterpalooza

by Armand Vaquer

Today, I made it over to the Burbank Marriott and Convention Center near Bob Hope Airport for this year's Son of Monsterpalooza.

Son of Monsterpalooza is like the big Monsterpalooza show, but on a smaller scale. Nevertheless, it was a lot of fun.

Fortunately, when I got there, the crowds had thinned out and I was able to move about with no problem. I was able to meet with actor Akira Takarada and Bela Lugosi, Jr. while at the show.

Lugosi, Jr. (whose table was a few feet away from Takarada's) asked me about Takarada as he wasn't familiar with his work. I explained to him that he was in the original 1954 Godzilla as part of the love triangle as well as other Toho epics.

Some highlights:

Above, some displays at the show.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, actor Akira Takarada and Armand with an autographed poster.

Above, Bela Lugosi, Jr. with a companion in a mask of his father.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, an attendee in the make-up chair.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a nicely-done bust of Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, more exhibitor displays.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

G-FEST Lands Akira Takarada!

One of the greatest actors to perform in Japanese science-fiction movies for over 50 years is coming to America!

G-FEST is pleased to announce that the special guest for G-FEST XVII this coming July in Chicago is none other than Akira Takarada.

Takarada has appeared in many Japanese science-fiction movies beginning with Godzilla in 1954 and most recently in Godzilla Final Wars in 2004.

From Wikipedia:

Takarada was born in Harbin, China. His father worked as an engineer on the South Manchuria Railway. After the war, he remained in Harbin, China, the city of his birth. He is able to speak Mandarin Chinese and English.

He is still an active actor at age 75 and is set to perform in a play this summer. He managed to squeeze in his G-FEST appearance just before he is to begin rehearsals.

For more details on G-FEST, go to G-FAN.com.