The Birth of Ultraman Collection, containing some of the best episodes of the original “Ultraman” series, is coming to Blu-ray July 10 from Mill Creek Entertainment at $25.99.
It will include both the original Japanese language and the classic English dub audio tracks plus The Birth of Ultraman — Ultraman pre-premiere special, the very first appearance of the hero.
The set will be exclusively sold on DeepDiscount as part of the launch of a dedicated “Ultraman” storefront that will offer up all of Mill Creek’s current Blu-ray and steelbook releases in addition to other “Ultraman”-related merchandise and products.
The exclusive Blu-ray release also features art created by Alex Ross, which is also featured on The Rise of Ultraman cover for Marvel Comics, and Tsuburaya Production’s recent collaboration with the debut issue releasing September 2020.
The release is part of Mill Creek Entertainment’s license of the entire available “Ultraman” back-catalog via international distribution company Indigo Entertainment, from the team at Tsuburaya Productions.
“The Birth of Ultraman Collection” includes the following episodes:
Episode 1, “Ultra Operation No. 1,” in which the story begins as the heroic alien Ultraman pursues the space monster Bemular to Earth, leading to a fateful encounter with Shin Hayata, an agent of the SSSP;
Episode 2, “Shoot the Invader,” in which Ultraman’s iconic foe, Alien Baltan, makes its first appearance in a tale narrated by Ide, the SSSP’s genius inventor;
Episode 19, “Demons Rise Again,” in which an ancient time capsule unleashes the red-skinned monster Banila and its blue-skinned rival Aboras, who wage a titanic battle in the National Stadium;
Episodes 26 and 27, “The Monster Highness” Parts 1 and 2, the only two-part Ultraman story that features the Ancient Monster Gomora, who escapes captivity and overwhelms Ultraman as it rampages towards Osaka;
Episode 33, “The Forbidden Words,” in which even Ultraman may not be able to stop Alien Mefilas when he tries to convince a boy to give him the Earth; and
Episode 37, “A Little Hero,” in which Ide suffers a crisis of faith as the Friendly Monster Pigmon warns that the evil creature Geronimon is reviving an army of monsters to destroy Ultraman and the SSSP.
The Birth of Ultraman — Ultraman pre-premiere special aired in Japan on July 10, 1966, one week before the series premiere. The stage show was filmed before a live studio audience and introduced viewers to the story, cast and characters of “Ultraman.” This July 10 event on television is now celebrated annually and known throughout the world as “Ultraman Day.” Never-before-released in America, the special is presented in black and white (as originally broadcast) in standard definition with Japanese audio and English subtitles.
“Ultraman” premiered on Japanese television on July 17, 1966. While the series was still in production, the North American rights were licensed to United Artists, who in-turn commissioned voice director Peter Fernandez (“Speed Racer”) to supervise the English dubbing of the show. The English-language version was syndicated to American television in 1967 and went on to air in various markets across the country into the early 1980s.
The Godzilla Display 3.5" Vinyl Series features authentic recreations of the iconic kaiju that appeared in the Toho Godzilla franchise. These detailed vinyl Godzilla replicas features accurate sculpting and paint treatments with multiple points of articulation for enhanced realism.
The second part of Shogakukan's two series set on Godzilla: Final Wars (2004). This book, like its predecessor, is devoted almost entirely to production shots from the 50th anniversary Godzilla film. The little text that is found in the book is often in relation to the images being shown. Like other Shogakukan releases in their "Movie" line, it's fairly short at only 16 pages, cited as 17 inside as they count the cover. The book was also made to be fairly durable, with each of the pages being around as thick as a sheet of cardboard.
In regards to the contents of the second book, it covers mostly what the first skipped over, showing pictures for: Godzilla, Minilla, Gigan, Mothra, Monster X, and Keizer Ghidorah. The Xilien are also present here, although only in two small production shots. The book is set up with about 8 two page layouts, each with numerous images spread across the two. The nice thing about the Shogakukan line, in regards to the two page layouts, is that the pages can be folded open all the way without causing any real damage to the book, making it perfect for scanning.
Gorgo is a 1961 British-American science fiction monster film in Technicolor directed by Eugène Lourié. The film focuses on Gorgo, a young sea monster brought back to London for exploitation, and Ogra, his even larger mother, who rampages across London to search for him.
Charlton's Gorgo comic book series based on the 1961 British-American giant monster film Gorgo, which ran from 1961 to 1965 with 23 issues. The first issue is an adaptation of the film, while the rest are original stories pitting Gorgo and his mother Ogra against various monsters, aliens, and human armies.
The comic book series has two sequels, Gorgo's Revenge with one issue and Return of Gorgo with two issues. Every issue of Gorgo was written by Joe Gill. Steve Ditko, the co-creator of Spider-Man and Doctor Strange, illustrated eight issues (1-3, 11, and 13-16). - From Wikipedia
After a seaquake, a huge lizard-like creature walked out of the ocean and almost destroyed a fishing village in Ireland. Fortunately for the village, the same quake that brought the 65 foot monster to land has also grounded a salvage ship, the crew of which proved up to the task of capturing the beast.
Instead of killing it, or turning it over to the government, they decided to take it to London and put it on display for profit.
Looking to be a huge success, things became more complicated when it was discovered the monster, dubbed Gorgo, was really just a youngster and it’s 200 foot tall mother was coming for him.
After a pitched battle with the British army, Gorga’s mother, Ogra, was able to free her child and they both went lumbering back to the sea.
That, however, was not the last the world heard of Gorgo. Apparently having found a taste for the land, the young monster began to make regular visits there.
At the same time, governments, scientists, and even would-be world conquerors pursued Gorgo and his mother for their own ends.
This led Gorgo to finding himself in a succession of dangerous situations, from battling other giant primitive monsters, to control by mad scientists, to even at one point inadvertently preventing World War III. - From Fandom
Gorgo #12 April 1963 Charlton Comics Group
Script: Joe Gill Pencils: Joe Sinnott Inks: Vince Colletta Art: Steve Ditko
"Monsters' Rendezvous"
"Strange Beasts, Past and Present"
"A Second or an Eon?"
"Deep Water Dream!"
Gorgo teams up with another B-movie monster, Reptilicus, to battle squid creatures from outer space who want to take over the Earth.
Cover by Ernie Bache with art by Steve Ditko and Bill Montes.
Gorgo's curiosity brings him to the waters off Cuba, right at the height of the 1962 missile crisis. Steve Ditko's drawings are tamer than usual, even with this relevantly timed story. More than midway through, his enthusiasm returns, depicting Gorgo's attack on the Russians with gusto. Ditko also enlarges panels to better show the creature's massive scale. This is number 7 of 9 Gorgo issues with Ditko art and/or covers.
Not since "King Kong"...has the screen exploded with such mighty fury and spectacle!
Backstory:
Konga is a 1961 British/American international co-production science fiction horror film directed by John Lemont and starring Michael Gough, Margo Johns and Austin Trevor. It was shot at Merton Park Studios and in Croydon for Anglo Amalgamated, then distributed in the United States by American International Pictures (AIP) as a double feature with Master of the World. Anglo Amalgamated and AIP each provided half the funding for the US$500,000 film, with each studio receiving distribution rights in their respective hemispheres.
Konga was the basis for a comic book series published by Charlton Comics and initially drawn by Steve Ditko (prior to Ditko's co-creation of Spider-Man) in the 1960s. From Wikipedia
The comic book version, adapting the movie into that medium. It was written by Joe Gill (The Blue Beetle, Peacemaker) and drawn by Steve Ditko (Doctor Strange, The Creeper). The comic was dated June, 1960.
Even if the comic did appear first, being a comic book adaptation of a live-action movie would make Konga (no relation, by the way) no more a toon than The Magic Sword (1962), Operation Bikini (1963), Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964) or any other Hollywood property that got turned into a Dell "Movie Classic". What made it different was that Charlton put out a second issue, and continued it bimonthly afterward. This put it in a class with Charlton's Gorgo and Reptilicus, rather than that of Gold Key's Fantastic Voyage or Fawcett's When Worlds Collide. As it is, Konga is better known as a comic book character than for his role in an American International Pictures production.
Konga started out as a chimpanzee in the possession of Professor Charles Decker (Michael Gough, who played Alfred in 1990s Batman films). Decker had acquired cute li'l Konga during an African adventure in which he'd also acquired a chemical way to make living things grow to enormous size. Needless to say, the chimp and the chemical got together before too much screen time had gone by (or before too many comics pages had been turned) as Decker attempted to use Konga in a typical mad scientist scheme. The transformation seems to have had the unexpected side effect of turning Konga into a gorilla. Poor guy — the only reason he committed murder was because he was under Decker's mind control, and they treated him the way they always treat giant apes, i.e., killed him. His only consolation was, Decker got it in the neck before he did.
But Konga, at least, got better. He was de-killed in Konga #2 (August, 1961), also by Gill and Ditko, then got involved in a new adventure with each new issue. Later issues were drawn by the team of Bill Montes, pencils and Ernie Bache, inks (Fightin' Five, Sarge Steel). The series lasted 23 issues, ending in November, 1965. With #24 (September, 1966), it was re-titled Fantastic Giants, which lasted one issue, reprinting early Ditko Gorgo and Konga stories. Along the way, he appeared in two issues of Konga's Revenge; and in 1968, that title was also used for a one-issue revival, which reprinted a 1964 story. - From Toonopedia
Konga #12 May 1963 Charlton Comics Group
Cover by Dick Giordano, written by Joe Gill, with art and pencils and inks by Steve Ditko
"The Lonely One" "Vince Vanne Vanishes" "Kobi the Hunter"
Konga's Revenge #1 December 1968 Charlton Comics Group
Cover and art by Montes and Mastroserio.
"The Trojan Queen" :
Featuring the huge primate who is doomed to wander the earth lonely and feared by all save a few. Stated on cover is "Popular Request Second Printing." This is the only printing of Konga's Revenge (1968 series) number 1. The second printing refers to this issue being a reprint of Konga's Revenge (1963 series) number 3.
Fantastic Giants #24 September 1966 Charlton Comics Group
Steve Ditko cover, art, and stories.
Steve Ditko's work is showcased in this special one-shot issue. Two landmark reprints from Gorgo #1 and Konga #1 accompany two new stories. In the first, an African witch doctor sculpts an idol from a giant meteorite and claims leadership over his tribe. Otherworldly images are the artist's specialty and this one is no exception. The drawings culminate in an outstanding splash page (see interior page below). Ditko's second feature tells of a village terrorized by an indestructible brute. While not as impressive as the first tale, it still displays plenty of skill and effort. Similarly, Ditko's busy new cover is visually compelling with a touch of humor. This is number 1 of 1 Fantastic Giants issues with Ditko art and/or covers.
Godzilla: King of the Monsters Original Motion Picture Soundtrack! Featuring music by Emmy® and BAFTA Award winning composer Bear McCreary (10 Cloverfield Lane, TV’s The Walking Dead), in two special deluxe triple LP vinyl configurations. Written and Directed by Michael Dougherty (Trick ‘r Treat, Krampus) and starring Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things), Vera Farmiga (The Conjuring), Kyle Chandler (Super 8), and Ken Watanabe (Isle of Dogs, Inception), Godzilla: King of the Monsters is the highly anticipated next chapter in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ cinematic Monsterverse - an epic action adventure that pits Godzilla against some of the most popular monsters in pop culture history.
Composer Bear McCreary’s (10 Cloverfield Lane, Happy Death Day, and TV’s The Walking Dead) music is a two-year-long labor of love dubbed a “Monster Opera” by director Michael Dougherty, and a crucial element to the film. Each “kaiju” is given a voice in this epic opera - Godzilla is presented with heroic, guttural vocalizations. King Ghidorah presented with dark, hypnotic chanting. Mothra by way of an ethereal female choir. Rodan’s voice is achieved by orchestral French horns pushed to their very limit to “scream” ripping roars.
Incorporated and adapted are both the legendary Godzilla theme by Akira Ifukube, and the immortal “Mothra’s Song” by Yuji Koseki. Also included is the McCreary-adapted eternal classic “Godzilla” by Blue Öyster Cult, featuring Serj Tankian (System Of A Down) on lead vocals, and musicians Brendon Small, Bryan Beller, and Gene Hoglan who form the Dethklok rhythm section of from TV’s Metalocalypse.
Clocking in at 98 minutes of music, Waxwork is proud to present Godzilla: King of the Monsters as a deluxe triple LP set. Housed in a unique, rarely manufactured heavyweight triple-fold LP ‘monster’ pack, and featuring 180 “Kaiju” colored vinyl, liner notes by director Michael Dougherty and composer Bear McCreary, and artwork by Christopher Shy.
Kaiju Variant:
The Complete Film Music by Bear McCreary
Triple LP, 180 Gram “Kaiju” Colored Vinyl
Disc 1 “King Ghidorah” - Gold and Yellow Swirl
Disc 2 “Rodan” - Oxblood and Fire Orange Swirl
Disc 3 “Mothra” - Cyan and Baby Blue Swirl
Liner Notes by Bear McCreary and Michael Dougherty
Heavyweight Triple-Fold LP “Monster” Packaging
Artwork by Christopher Shy
Godzilla Variant:
The Complete Film Music by Bear McCreary
Triple LP, 180 Gram “Godzilla” Colored Vinyl
Discs 1, 2, and 3 - Electric Blue, Black, and Gray Swirl
Liner Notes by Bear McCreary and Michael Dougherty
Heavyweight Triple-Fold LP “Monster” Packaging
Artwork by Christopher Shy
Track Listing:
Side A
01. Memories of San Francisco
02. The Larva
03. Welcome to Monarch
04. Outpost 32
Side B
05. Ice Breaker
06. Rise of Ghidorah
07. Old Rivals
08. The First Gods
Side C
09. Rodan
10. A Mass Awakening
11. The One Who is Many
Side D
12. Queen of the Monsters
13. For Andrew
14. Stealing the Orca
15. The Hollow Earth
16. The Key to Coexistence
17. Goodbye Old Friend
Side E
18. Rebirth
19. Fog Over Fenway
20. Battle in Boston
21. Redemption
Side F
22. King of the Monsters
23. Godzilla (feat. Serj Tankian)
24. Mothra's Song
25. Ghidorah Theme
26. Godzilla Main Title
This item is available for pre-order with an expected ship date of July 2019. As mentioned, two variants are available for purchase and both are priced at $50.00, plus the cost of shipping. If you’re interested in picking this item up, head on over to the order page at Waxwork Records today!
The story takes place five years after Godzilla saved Earth. A group of militants attack Monarch, a special organization that monitors kaiju, and seize a machine under development...
“Godzilla: King of the Monsters” has a sense of wonder. After I left the screening late at night and emerged onto a dark city street at nearly one a.m., I wanted to look up rather than straight ahead, just in case Ghidorah the three-headed dragon or Rodan the giant pterodactyl came screaming down from the clouds. That's not the same thing as saying this is a perfect movie...
This is a poster graphic print featuring an image of Godzilla as he goes on a rampage in the new movie that will be released May 31st. The print looks amazing matted to 8 x 10 to 20 x 30 and framed and will make a great addition to your movie memorabilia collection. A must for all Godzilla fans!
The Story:
“Possibly the last of an ancient species of giant amphibious creatures that evolved at a time when the surface of the Earth was over ten times more radioactive that it is today. Godzilla can convert his radiation stores into a violent, focused exhalation of atomic ray. Rarely seen, but spoken of in ancient Pacific Island myths, “Gojira” was last spotted in 1954...
Michael Dougherty, director of the anticipated kaiju monster fest Godzilla: King of the Monsters, is already thinking sequel, and has two kaiju in mind for the "Big Bads." Dougherty told CinemaToday JP he would like to use Biollante and Gigan ...
A group of Soviet fighter planes carrying nuclear weapons is shot down of the North Pole. The resulting crash detonates one of the bombs waking a giant prehistoric turtle, Gamera (Gammera), from a million year old hibernation. The titanic turtle takes little time destroying a research ship before taking off in search of the energy it needs to recharge itself.
Unlike Godzilla the destruction Gamera dishes out on Japan is not nature striking back at mankind, but a simple quest for food. Also, like Godzilla, mankind's vast array of weapons have no effect on the monster. A plan to sedate the creature long enough for tons of dynamite are placed around it and detonated does nothing to curve the carnage.
In a move somewhat out of character the monster saves the life of young boy who was watching the creature from a lighthouse the monster would destroy. Gamera would reach out it's gigantic hand and catch the lad in mid fall and place him safely on the ground. From this point on Gamera would be known as the protector of children.
The world's scientific community would come up with one final plan to save mankind. Gamera would be lured to a remote island where a giant rocket was constructed to transport the creature far into space where it could never return.
Success!
Gamera would take the bait and become trapped in the massive nose cone of the spaceship. Earth was saved...well until the next film anyway.
In the late 1950's and early 1960's Toho had the monopoly on Kaiju (Monster Films) made in Japan. Another film maker Daiei was about to change that with the release of the film "Daikaiju Gamera" or as we know it here in the US "Gamera the Invincible". Gamera would prove to be a success for Daiei and spawn it's own series of films just like their rival Godzilla. In the world of kaiju though Gamera would always play second string behind Toho's mighty monster. The stories and special effects always seemed to be a step below the competition. Eventually Daiei would put their turtle on the shelf while the Godzilla franchise would keep on making films.
Director Noriaki Yuasa initially began production on a film titled Dai gunju Nezura (lit. The Great Rat Swarm) which would involve real rats crawling over miniatures of cities. The rats received for the film had fleas, which halted production on Dai gunju Nezura. The success of Toho's Godzilla films led to the rival company Daiei to create a monster series of its own. As the miniatures for the film were already built, Masaichi Nagata had to develop a giant monster to attack the city and had the idea for a giant flying turtle. Yuasa and screenwriter Nisan Takahashi developed the idea into the 1965 film Gamera, the Giant Monster. Special effects technician Ryosaku Takayama designed the turtle suit used in the film.
The films created by Daiei were aimed at younger children than the Godzilla films of the period and had lower budgets. Gamera, the Giant Monster was the only film in the series shot in black-and-white. Yuasa stated that the first Gamera film had a budget of about ¥40 million and that the film went "over budget a little bit". Due to the commercial success of the first Gamera film, the second film had a expanded budget that Yuasa stated was 80,000,000 yen.
Let's Rock!
The veteran Canadian metal heads Varga released "Enter the Metal" in 2013 which featured a hard rocking tune about everyone's favorite titanic turtle. At the time lead singer Adam Alex was asked about their song Gamera.
"Gamera is an eight minute song in which we try to lay down a soundscape to the images of the legendary science fiction monster causing havoc and chaos across the Japanese countryside. The numerous parts and grooves we laid down are meant to represent different aspects of the story and provide the listener a soundtrack for the destruction that ensues."
In the mid 1990's Daiei decided to bring Gamra out of mothballs and restart the series with new direction, new monsters, and state of the art scripts and effects. The timing was perfect for Daiei. Toho had just decided to give the Godzilla series a break and focus on other projects. The stage was set and the door wide open for a Gamera comeback. The first of the new series "Gamera Guardian of the Universe" would draw great praise from critics and fans alike. In most ways these new Gamera films would be better than the Godzilla films that Toho had been making. Gamera was now on top. The series had new life and Gamera was again on the kaiju scene.
The Gamera Song:
Gamera!
Gamera!
You are strong, Gamera!
You are strong, Gamera!
You are strong, Gamera!
M! M! J! V!
M! M! J! V!
Monsters coming from Mars,
Or some other alien world?
Come on, space monsters!
Bring it on!
Let's cut and poke!
Okay, go-go-go!
Using spinning jets,
He will win!
You are strong, Gamera!
You are strong, Gamera!
You are strong, Gamera!
Gamera, the Giant Monster was released in Japan on November 27, 1965. The film was a bigger hit than the studio expected, which led to a higher budget for the second film, Gamera vs. Barugon.
An edited version of the film was released theatrically in the United States on December 15, 1966 as Gammera the Invincible. This version contained additional scenes with American actors, a new theme song by the Moons and all Japanese dialogue dubbed in English, making the U.S. version run at 86 minutes. These included the scenes with the Alaskan army base, the Pentagon and the U.N. headquarters. This version of the film was also shown frequently on American television in the 1970s.
Daikaiju Gamera / Gamera The Invincible (1965)
AKA: Gamera (1965), Gamera The Invincible (1965), Gammera (1965), The Invincible Gammera (1966), The Giant Monster Gamera (1965)Dikaiju Gamera / Gamera (1965)
Directed By: Sandy Howard and Noriaki Yuasa
Written By: Nisan Takahashi and Richard Kraft
Cast:
Brian Donlevy as Gen Terry Arnold
Albert Dekker as The Secretary of Defense
Walter Arnold as American Ambassador
John Baragrey as Capt. Lovell
Gene Bua as Lt. Clark
Bob Carraway as Lt. Simpson
Diane Findlay as Sgt. Susan Embers
Eiji Funakoshi as Dr. Hidaka
Jun Hamamura as Dr. Murase
Bokuzen Hidori as Old Man
George Hirose as Japanese Ambassador
Harumi Kiritachi as Kyoke
Runtime: 80 Minutes Japan, 86 Minutes USA
Color: Black & White
Sound: Mono
Released: November 26, 1965
The second part of Shogakukan's two series set on Godzilla: Final Wars (2004). This book, like its predecessor, is devoted almost entirely to production shots from the 50th anniversary Godzilla film. The little text that is found in the book is often in relation to the images being shown. Like other Shogakukan releases in their "Movie" line, it's fairly short at only 16 pages, cited as 17 inside as they count the cover. The book was also made to be fairly durable, with each of the pages being around as thick as a sheet of cardboard.
In regards to the contents of the second book, it covers mostly what the first skipped over, showing pictures for: Godzilla, Minilla, Gigan, Mothra, Monster X, and Keizer Ghidorah. The Xilien are also present here, although only in two small production shots. The book is set up with about 8 two page layouts, each with numerous images spread across the two. The nice thing about the Shogakukan line, in regards to the two page layouts, is that the pages can be folded open all the way without causing any real damage to the book, making it perfect for scanning.
Plot:
In the 21st century, extensive warfare, nuclear testing and careless science had mutated or awakened great beasts of all shapes and sizes. During that period, the frequent occurrence of enormous monsters had become commonplace, and thus, the Earth Defense Force (known in short as the EDF) was established by the Japanese government. The sole purpose of the force was to combat the monsters and hopefully restore peace to the world by eliminating the kaiju. During the worldwide wave of monsters, mutant humans with superhuman strength and extraordinary physical capabilities were discovered whose origins or mutations were not yet understood. The EDF realized the potential and effectiveness of the mutants as super soldiers, and established a subdivision known as the M-Organization. Utilizing the mutants' handy physical feats and superior piloting skills, along with the military's best war machines, the threat was slowly subdued and the monsters were slowly, but surely, defeated.
Many years earlier in the mid-20th century, the greatest enemy that the EDF faced, Godzilla, first appeared and frequently attacked Japan in the 1960s during the great monster wars. While they succeeded in defeating all of the other monsters, Godzilla was the only one remaining and continually threatened mankind. One year, the EDF's best battleship—the Gotengo—was battling Godzilla deep in Antarctica. It was only with the help of a large earthquake that the crew of the Gotengo was able to finally triumph against Godzilla. The earthquake had caused the ground to split and cave-in beneath Godzilla, causing him to fall into a seemingly bottomless pit. This was followed immediately by an avalanche of ice and rock caused by missiles fired from the Gotengo that buried Godzilla and imprisoned him in an icy tomb, restoring peace to the world.
Decades later, in the near future of the 21st century, peace had been recognized worldwide with the exception of very rare monster attacks. The EDF had easily defeated such threats, and the monster-scare had become a thing of the past. During this time a mysterious mummified monster was found off the coast of Hokkaido and was being suspended by large support cables in the EDF warehouse/hangar and being researched. It was calculated at being 12,000 years old and composed of organic and machine tissue, making it a cyborg. It was also discovered that the monster's D.N.A. contains M Base, which was also found in Earth's mutant soldiers, suggesting a relationship. The two Shobijin fairies reveal the creature's name to be Gigan, an evil monster from space that was sent to wipe out life on Earth, but was subdued by Mothra. They give the mutant, Shinichi Ozaki, a small sword, saying he has an important destiny and that he must choose his fate.
Suddenly a large group of monsters appear simultaneously and attack major cities all over the world. The EDF is dispatched and valiantly attempts to defeat the monsters. Rodan attacks New York City, Zilla attacks Sydney, Anguirus attacks Shanghai, King Caesar attacks Okinawa, Kamacuras attacks Paris, Kumonga attacks Phoenix, Arizona, and Ebirah attacks Tokai.
During the international devastation, an alien race known as the Xiliens appears and captures the monsters. After which they proposed a peaceful union with mankind. They revealed that an asteroid called Gorath was going to collide with Earth unless all weapons were aimed at it. The Secretary, who was considered dead when Rodan attacked his plane, began to pursue a new future with the Xiliens, claiming that the United Nations would become the Space Nations. However, distrust of the Xiliens began to arise. When the Secretary was attacked during an attempted assassination, his blood was analyzed and soon found to not be human. Worse, the image of Gorath displayed by the Xiliens turned out to be nothing more than a hologram. Shinichi feared that the Xiliens were plotting a takeover of Earth, and that many of their leaders could have been compromised. He could only trust one man, Captain Gordon, the one who originally fired the missiles that contained Godzilla.
Doctor Miyuki Otanashi went looking through the files of the Secretary, but was caught by the EDF leader. However, Gordon came in at the last moment and shot the EDF leader, revealing the leader to be an impostor. They brought the corpse of the imposter to the broadcast studio, where the Xiliens were being interviewed on live television. The Secretary was shot, revealing him to also be an imposter. The second-in-command of the Xiliens, known as the Controller, shot his commander, tired of the slow plans of a peaceful takeover. Using his species' control over M-base, he takes control of the mutants, excluding Shinichi, and releases the monsters to resume their attacks on the cities. He also sent out an army of small fighter ships to assist in leveling and decimating human civilization. M-Unit commander Muasaka held off his former command while the others escaped. However, their escape is hindered by Kazama, a fellow mutant, who Shinichi is able to subdue.
In a secret hanger, the Gotengo crew set out on a risky, last resort plan to defeat the Xiliens by releasing Godzilla from Area G. The Controller unleashes Gigan to follow them. They succeed in releasing Godzilla, who battles with Gigan and defeats him by decapitation. Godzilla, thinking he was still battling with the Gotengo, chases after the ship. Godzilla is first led to Sydney, where he defeats Zilla. He then proceeds to defeat Kumonga, in New Guinea, Kamacuras in Manazuru, Anguirus, King Caesar and Rodan next to Mount Fuji, and finally Ebirah and Hedorah in Tokyo Bay. He is finally brought to the Xilien mother-ship. The Gotengo attempts to destroy the mother-ship, but its shields are too strong and the Gotengo is soon kept busy with fighter ships. Kazama takes a fighter and manages to enter the mother-ship, destroying the generator, which allows the Gotengo to drill through to the core of the ship and attempt to fire the Maser. However, the Xiliens teleport on board and kill all of the non-essential crew-members, bringing Shinchi, Miyuki, Gordon and pilot Akiko Namikawa to the Controller. The Controller reveals that the Xilians want the mitochondria in human cells to survive and were simply demolishing civilization to show humanity its place as "cattle." He also reveals that he and Shinichi are Kaiser, a fusion of mutant and human DNA, which is what allowed Shinichi to avoid his control. However, the Controller manages to control Shinichi until he is stopped by Miyuki, who uses the Shobijin's sword to free him. The Secretary of Defense and the EDF leader are revealed to be alive, having somehow escaped imprisonment. As the humans make their escape, Shinichi battles the Controller, ultimately winning. Going insane, the Controller self-destructs the mother-ship, intent on taking everyone down with him. Shinichi is able to board the Gotengo just as the mother-ship is destroyed.
Godzilla battles a new, final foe known as Monster X, while Mothra battles a rebuilt Gigan. Gigan perishes as Mothra turns the cyborg's own power against him, just as the remaining crew are victorious. Godzilla is still fighting Monster X, who soon transforms into his true form, Keizer Ghidorah, who defeats Godzilla and starts to drain his life force. Shinichi transfers his "Kaiser energy" to Godzilla and restores his strength and empowers him. Godzilla destroys two of Keizer Ghidorah's heads and throws him around the ruins of Tokyo. Finally, Godzilla hurls Keizer Ghidorah into the air and fires his red spiral atomic breath, which pushes Keizer Ghidorah into outer space, where he explodes. Godzilla then continues his battle against the Gotengo, using his atomic breath against the ship, forcing it to crash. Godzilla is about to attack the survivors of the Gotengo, but his son, Minilla, manages to calm Godzilla down and convinces him to leave and forgive mankind for their sins. Together, Godzilla and Minilla leave a ruined Tokyo and Godzilla lets out one final roar to commemorate 50 years of destruction.
Fans of the classic Toho flicks will no doubt recognize each one of the fantastically designed creatures, and we can assure you- you will NOT be disappointed when you see the film.
Director Mike Dougherty really does give these fantastic creatures the respect and care they deserve, proving he wasn’t kidding when he said “Primitive man saw these creatures, you want to give them a presence that would make them drop to their knees and bow to this god.”
Pair these gorgeous Titans with incredible sound design and one of the best scores this year (by Bear McCreary), Godzilla: King of the Monsters has all the makings of a true summer blockbuster.
Members of the crypto-zoological agency Monarch face off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the three-headed King Ghidorah. When these ancient super-species-thought to be mere myths-rise again, they all vie for supremacy, leaving humanity’s very existence hanging in the balance.
Feel the rumble as one of the most iconic monsters stomps its way online with the global launch of the first-ever official Godzilla website from Japanese entertainment studio Toho Co., in time for the highly anticipated film, Godzilla: King of the Monsters releasing on May 31.
Commemorating the 65th anniversary of its screen debut in 1954, Toho is connecting Godzilla fans around the world of all ages through exciting content from more than 30 films, comics, art, apparel, toys, encompassing the entire Godzilla universe.
“We’re thrilled to unleash a world of content around our most beloved Godzilla,” said Keiji Ota, CGO (Chief Godzilla Officer) at Toho. “Fans have been longing for a universe that celebrates the all-mighty king of monsters and Godzilla.com delivers the most exciting news and stories about upcoming events, new merchandise and special releases as we commemorate the 65th anniversary of Godzilla.”
One of the most exciting features is the first official Godzilla Monsterpedia, unveiling everything fans have ever wanted to know about monsters (or kaiju) in the Godzilla Universe! Monsters such as King Ghidorah, the three-headed monster and Godzilla’s biggest rival; Mothra, the guardian god of its maternal island; and MechaGodzilla, the giant battle robot modeled on Godzilla are featured. The battles among them and with humans are one of the highlights of the Godzilla movies. The more fans get to know about the kaiju, the more they can enjoy the exciting world of Godzilla.
Godzilla.com will be continuously updated as a source of news for upcoming Godzilla films including movie trailers and key art, events, fan content, new product news, and all future announcements. It will also be a resource for Godzilla’s complete filmography including rare videos, wallpaper and much more destructive content including updates on epic Godzilla toys, apparel and lifestyle products.
Godzilla first appeared in Toho’s “Godzilla” (1954), a classic monster movie widely regarded as a masterpiece. The work launched a monster franchise that expanded over 64 years with more than 30 films. Over time, the franchise itself has evolved, as Godzilla and other creatures appearing in Godzilla films have become a metaphor for social commentary in the real world. The characters are no longer mere entertainment icons but embody emotions and social problems of the times. Godzilla has become a globally recognized icon, finding its way into worldwide pop culture and influencing many creative minds.”*
The hits just keep on coming in 2019, and according to these early reactions to Michael Dougherty’s monster mash sequel, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, fans might have the kind of Godzilla film that was only briefly glimpsed in Gareth Edwards underrated original.
Here’s a small selection to stoke the blue flames of anticipation before Godzilla: King of the Monsters hits cinema screens on May 31st.
#GodzillaKingOfTheMonsters is the modern day Godzilla movie you’ve been waiting for. It’s everything the 2014 Godzilla isn’t, while still retaining the best elements of that film and elevating them x 100. Monstrous action that rattles the theater. So damn good. @GodzillaMoviepic.twitter.com/claFZH3oq1
Social reaction embargo has lifted on #GodzillaKingOfTheMonsters, so I can finally say OH MY GODZILLA YESSSSS! If your biggest complaint of #Godzilla 2014 was not enough monster time, DEFINITELY get it in this! Let them fight! Had a great time from start to finish! #godzillamoviepic.twitter.com/8qNfQ3P9b9
#GodzillaMovie is the film I’ve waited years for. The thrilling sequel captures the spirit of Japan’s famous kaiju while setting up his reign for years to come. There are few words which describe the film as well as momentous, and its epic scale will leave audiences of astounded.
Godzilla: King of the Monsters rules so goddamn hard. Easily the most fun I’ve had in theaters all year and the best Monsterverse entry yet. The scale is mind-boggling & every action scene could be your new desktop wallpaper. See it on the biggest screen possible. #GodzillaMoviepic.twitter.com/YoZrAAjey1
Am now free to say #GodzillaMovie King of the Monsters is handily the craziest, most entertaining American kaiju movie in existence. But that doesn't do justice to just how wild a ride this is, jumping from the majesty of the monsters to the wackiness of the humans...
The new story follows the heroic efforts of the crypto-zoological agency Monarch as its members face off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the three-headed King Ghidorah. When these ancient super-species—thought to be mere myths—rise again, they all vie for supremacy, leaving humanity’s very existence hanging in the balance.
Godzilla: King of the Monsters is set for release on May 31st, 2019 and sees Michael Dougherty (Krampus) directing returning Godzilla stars Sally Hawkins (Dr. Vivienne Graham) and Ken Watanabe (Dr. Ishiro Serizawa), and new additions Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things), Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights), O’Shea Jackson Jr. (Straight Outta Compton), Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel), Aisha Hinds (Star Trek Into Darkness), Charles Dance (Game of Thrones), Thomas Middleditch (Silicon Valley), Zhang Ziyi (The Grandmaster), Randy Havens (Stranger Things) and Elizabeth Ludlow (The Walking Dead).
Godzilla has been keeping a low profile in the MonsterVerse over the last several years, but this summer, the beast is finally making his grand return and will prove he reigns supreme over the other Titans in Godzilla: King of the Monsters. Krampus' Michael Dougerty directed and co-wrote the sequel, and one of the ways he left his own stamp on Godzilla was by having the spikes on his back look like the ones from the monster's first cinematic appearance back in 1954. Dougherty explained:
"With Godzilla, I really liked what [director Gareth Edwards] had done in the previous film with Godzilla's look, so I just wanted to make tiny tweaks, like changing his back spikes to look like the 1954 Godzilla. These, in particular, were taken right off the back of the original 1954 Godzilla. So I took Photoshop, and just photoshopped these spikes onto the back of Gareth's film."
When you have a franchise that's been around for as long as Godzilla's, it's nice if there are opportunities to honor/pay homage to the earlier entries, even if they don't exist in the same current continuity. For Michael Dougherty, that was doing something as simple as making those back spikes look closer to their original design. It's hard to say how many average moviegoers would notice that the spikes from Godzilla's return to American cinema in 2014 don't perfectly match the ones he has in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, but the fact that Dougherty even thought to make these tweaks shows just how much of a fan of the Godzilla franchise he is, specifically the first movie, as he mentioned earlier in his interview with Tamashii JP (via GORMARU).
The redesigned spikes also aren't the only reference to the original Godzilla movie inserted into Godzilla: King of the Monsters. Back in August 2017, in the middle of principal photography, Michael Dougherty posted a photo of the Oxygen Destroyer, the weapon of mass destruction that was used against the gigantic reptile in 1954. It remains to be seen if King of the Monsters will show its own Oxygen Destroyer being activated, but the fact that Dougherty took the time to photograph this prop suggests we will at least glimpse it.
Michael Dougherty, director of the anticipated kaiju monster fest Godzilla: King of the Monsters, is already thinking sequel, and has two kaiju in mind for the "Big Bads."
Dougherty told CinemaToday JP he would like to use Biollante and Gigan in a sequel to Godzilla: King of the Monsters. The GORMARU Twitter account posted an excerpt of Dougherty's answer accompanied by a GIF of the menacing plant creature Biollante.
"I wanted to do it, but if I had the opportunity to do it again, I would have Biollante. Oh, and Gigan!" - Micheal Dougherty states in CinemaToday JP interview regarding #godzillakingofmonsters after saying how GvB made feel stronger in respecting nature. ^_^ #Godzillapic.twitter.com/qCNdOBWnrr
Dougherty's hands are more than full with Rodan, Mothra and King Ghidorah in King of the Monsters, which is a pleasing enough roster as it is. However, Biollante and Gigan are two more prized and promising fan-favorites diehard fans have been waiting years to see make a comeback on the big screen.
Biollante is perhaps the most famous nemesis of Godzilla to appear in only one movie. Debuting in Godzilla vs. Biollante, a sequel to Godzilla 1984, Biollante is the product of an experiment combining Godzilla's DNA with that of a plant and a scientist's dead daughter. Bigger than the big guy and able to disperse and reform from a cloud of spores, Biollante is one of the few creatures to fight the G-Man to a standstill and leave him reeling from a near-fatal blow.
The verdant kaiju's lone appearance is also famous for its message about man manipulating nature, a major theme in Legendary's Monsterverse, and a moral lesson that had an impact on Dougherty, referenced by GORMAUR. "GvB made [sic] feel stronger in respecting nature."
Gigan's had more screentime, appearing in Godzilla vs. Gigan and Godzilla: Final Wars, and is probably more popular than Biollante since it got to return for another round against Toho's mighty creation. His fearsome blades and hooks made Godzilla bleed in the past, which no one is soon to forget.
Godzilla: King of the Monsters stars Millie Bobby Brown, Vera Farmiga, Sally Hawkins, Kyle Chandler, O'Shea Jackson Jr., the returning Ken Watanabe, and Bradley Whitford. Directed, of course, by Michael Dougherty, it is slated to hit theaters May 31.
Director Michael Dougherty has teased the designs of the outsized beasts featured in his upcoming film Godzilla: King of the Monsters (out May 31) by posting images of the movie’s tie-in toys on Twitter.
“Playing with my old Godzilla Shogun Warrior and the family camcorder is how I got started,” Dougherty wrote in an accompanying note. “Here’s hoping these SH MonsterArts figures will inspire some kid out there to do the same.”
Godzilla: King of the Monsters is set around five years after the events depicted in 2014’s Godzilla.
“The world is reacting to Godzilla in the same way we would react to any other terrifying incident, in that we are overreacting,” Dougherty told EW earlier this year. “Godzilla hasn’t been seen since that destructive finale, “but there’s paranoia and endless speculation about whether he is the only one out there or whether we’re threatened by others like his kind.”
In the film, Godzilla is joined by the three-headed King Ghidorah, the giant insect Mothra, and another flying monster, Rodan, who in the original Japanese movies could create hurricane-force winds.
“Rodan’s been kind of a sidekick character, but I’ve always had a soft spot for him” says Dougherty. “In a lot of ways he’s more powerful than Godzilla. He’s like this winged A-bomb. I think we’ve done him justice.”
The movie’s human characters include Dr. Emma Russell (Vera Farmiga), a scientist working for the beastie-hunting organization Monarch, and her daughter Madison, who is portrayed by Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown. The pair is kidnapped by what Dougherty describes as “a mysterious organization, with their own plans for the creatures.”
The director cast Kyle Chandler as Mark Russell, Emma’s ex-husband and Madison’s father, who embarks on a rescue mission in cahoots with two more Monarch members, played by Godzilla veterans Ken Watanabe and Sally Hawkins.
VFX artist Ken Locsmandi makes his directorial debut with the sci-fi movie Beyond White Space, which Vertical Entertainment recently acquired for US distribution.
Along with the trailer, i09 brings us the news today that Beyond White Space will be released in theaters and on demand December 14. The site essentially describes the film as being “Jaws in space” and the trailer they scored most definitely backs up that description, as it centers on a massive alien creature that a crew is attempting to capture in deep space.
This looks WILD. And we are 100% here for it.
Written by Ryan Colucci and Clay McLeod Chapman, the film is set in 2150 A.D.
“During its final harvest of the season, a deep-space fishing vessel encounters a rare creature, mammoth in size and highly territorial. Matters get worse when a vicious band of scavengers intercept the vessel, leaving them with nothing. With no cargo and few supplies, the crew makes the daring decision to venture into uncharted territory and attempt to capture the creature for a large black-market take.”
Holt McCallany, Zulay Henao and Dave Sheridan star.
2150 A.D. The Essex, a deep space fishing vessel for industry giant, AmberCorp, is ready to make its final harvest of the season. The ship brushes with a rare creature, mammoth in size and highly territorial. Could this be the same leviathan that killed Richard and Owen's father? To make matters worse, a vicious band of scavengers intercept the transmission and infiltrate the Essex, leaving them with nothing. With no cargo and few supplies, the captain makes a daring decision, they will venture into uncharted territory, playing for keeps, to capture the creature for a large black market take.
