Written By: Ken HulseyAfter the tremendous success of the first two Godzilla films, visionary director Ishiro Honda and producer Tomoyuki Tanaka embarked on an ambitious project that would elevate the giant monster genre to new heights. This bold cinematic venture eventually became known as "Sora no daikaiju Radon." The initial idea for the film sprang from the creative mind of writer Ken Kuronuma, who was inspired by a unique tale he had translated for the Japanese edition of *Amazing Stories*. It centered around a Kentucky Air National Guard pilot who crashed his plane while pursuing a UFO, a narrative ripe with suspense and intrigue.
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.
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.
Within a Monarch containment facility atop the active Isla de Mona volcano, a mysterious Titan lies in pyrostasis within the restless magma. The legends speak of it as the “Fire Demon” or “The One Born of Fire”, but a simpler name echoes through the ancient temples of volcanically active regions: “Rodan”.
Data Update:
A volcanic internal combustion system of magma flows throughout a body covered in rock-like scales that act as geothermal armor. While much larger in size, Rodan has a skeletal structure similar to that of a Pteranodon - one of the earliest vertebrates known to have developed the power of flight. Just as Kong is king of the primates, Rodan may have once been king of the skies.
Because of the extreme temperatures within this particular containment facility, current lab equipment can’t function properly. As a result, thermal heat signatures on the creature are impossible to collect, and Monarch detection crews conducted cardiograms via aerial satellite for life sign detection and verification. Much like the volcano that incubates it, Rodan is alive but dormant.
This is great news! I really really really want this movie to be one of the best monster movies of all-time.
From Cosmic Book News
Last night saw Warner Bros. test screen a secret film, which turned out to be Godzilla 2 (not Aquaman).
Following the report from back in March which said Godzilla: King of Monsters was really great, now someone who went to the Godzilla 2 test screening says it's awesome.
A Redditor saw Godzilla 2 and said fans won't be disappointed and that it has awesome scenes.
"You won't be disappointed," user aemon123 said offering that fans will be "far more" satisfied with the monster action this time around.
The Reddit user didn't want to spoil things in the movie related to the final battle involving Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan and King Ghidorah, as well as if there is any Godzilla vs. King Kong set-up, but noted there are plot tie-ins with Kong: Skull Island.
The person also claimed "there are some awesome moments" when questioned about crowd-pleasing scenes in the flick.
As Godzilla 2 features a lot of monsters, how are the fight scenes?
"All the fight scenes were previs and yet, they were still spectacular. I imagine the final quality will be even better," it was said.
Likewise, the characters in the film are said to be definitely "more interesting" and that "it will probably be the best Godzilla film, tbh."
The Godzilla 2 test screening was also said to be filled with "nothing but great reactions."
The Reddit user echoes sentiments from back in March, which mentioned Mothra, Kong: Skull Island, Millie Bobby Brown and more.
"Acting and cinematography are really nice and even though the effects were not finished and some not even half-finished it looked really great," said a test screener. "I think you are going to like how much of the other creatures you are going to see in this movie [especially Godzilla]. For what I saw I'm very pleased and can honestly say it will probably be the most original from this universe and loved every single casting."
Godzilla: King of the Monsters has a May 31 2019 release directed by Michael Dougherty starring Vera Farmiga, Charles Dance, KyleChandler, Bradley Whitford, Thomas Middleditch, Sally Hawkins, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Ziyi Zhang, Ken Watanabe and Millie Bobby Brown.
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.”
Above, Miki Hayashi with The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Where the heck did November go? It seems like only yesterday that we had the midterm elections and now the month is almost over.
That means Christmas is just around the corner. For those of you (or someone you know) who want to make a pilgrimage to Japan to visit locations and landmarks featured in your favorite Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan, Gamera and other movies, The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan is the perfect stocking-stuffer.
Right now, it is available at $9.95 per copy plus $2.00 shipping & handling. That's a savings of $5.05 off the cover price.
Scientists have discovered fossil of the earliest and most primitive reptile, the largest known flying creature to have ever existed that lived some 163 million years ago.
Working on a fossil discovered in northwest China, scientists named the new pterosaur species Kryptodrakon progenitor.
The team led by University of South Florida (USF) paleontologist Brian Andres, James Clark of the GW Columbian College of Arts and Sciences and Xu Xing of the Chinese Academy of Sciences established it as the first pterosaur to bear the characteristics of the Pterodactyloidea, which would become the dominant winged creatures of the prehistoric world.
"This finding represents the earliest and most primitive pterodactyloid pterosaur, a flying reptile in a highly specialised group that includes the largest flying organisms," said Chris Liu, programme director in the National Science Foundation's Division of Earth Sciences.
"The research has extended the fossil record of pterodactyloids by at least five million years to the Middle-Upper Jurassic boundary about 163 million years ago," said Liu.
Kryptodrakon progenitor lived around the time of the Middle-Upper Jurassic boundary.
Through studying the fossil fragments, researchers also determined that the pterodactyloids originated, lived, and evolved in terrestrial environments - rather than marine environments where other specimens have been found.
The fossil is of a small pterodactyloid with a wingspan estimate of about 4.5 feet. Pterodactyloids - who went on to evolve into giant creatures, some as big as small planes - went extinct with the dinosaurs, about 66 million years ago.
Pterosaurs are considered close relatives to the dinosaurs, but are not dinosaurs themselves.
The discovery provides new information on the evolution of pterodactyloids. This area was likely a flood plain at the time the pterosaur lived, Andres said.
As the pterosaurs evolved, their wings changed from being narrow, which are more useful for marine environments, to being more broad near the origin of the pterodactyloids - helpful in navigating land environments.
"He (Kryptodrakon progenitor) fills in a very important gap in the history of pterosaurs. With him, they could walk and fly in whole new ways," Andres said.
The research was published in the journal Current Biology.
Above, the three Hario Wireless Towers near
Sasebo City in 2007. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
Back in April 2007, I made a tour of kaiju sites in Kyushu that included Mount Aso Volcano National Park, the Saikai Bridge near Sasebo, Fukuoka Tower and Fukuoka Yahoo! Dome.
Mount Aso and the Saikai Bridge were featured in the 1956 Toho production, Rodan.
While I was at the Saikai Bridge (that crosses the Hario Straits), I also saw the nearby Hario Wireless Towers. Those were also shown in Rodan.
Above, the Hario Towers are shown in "Rodan" with
one of the Rodans flying in the background. Toho Co., Ltd.
The Mainichi Daily News reported that one of the three Hario Wireless Towers is now open to the public for tours:
SASEBO, Nagasaki -- One of three antique radio towers here that played a small but important role in the beginning of Japan's war against the United States was opened to visitors on June 9.
The radio towers, known as the Hario broadcasting station and named an important cultural asset by the government in March, were part of the former Imperial Japanese Navy's communications network, and are thought to have broadcast the code phrase "Niitakayama nobore" ("climb Mount Niitaka") to launch the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
The towers, each 136 meters tall, form a triangle 300 meters on a side with telegraph wires strung between them.
The Hario Wireless Towers and the nearby Saikai Bridge are spotlighted in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan on page 48.
Above, the Shibuya 109 building that was destroyed
by Gamera and Megaguirus. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
It has just been confirmed that I will be giving a slideshow presentation on visiting the landmarks and locations used in Japanese monster movies on Monday, June 17 at 7:30 PM at Distant Lands, 20 S. Raymond Avenue, Pasadena, California 91105.
I will discuss the locations/landmarks in Japan that were demolished by Godzilla, Rodan, Gamera and others and how to reach them. And, I will also discuss other monster-related sites in Japan, including the Godzilla statue in the Hibiya section of Tokyo and the 9 meter tall (about 30 feet) Godzilla slide in Yokosuka.
About Distant Lands:
Since 1989, Distant Lands has been serving the needs of travelers, whether they are bound for a trekking expedition to Tibet or a relaxing weekend in Santa Barbara. Started by Adrian Kalvinskas, Distant Lands grew out of his love for travel. From an early age, Adrian followed his mother Louanne on her adventures around the globe, from Morocco to Australia, and to many places in between. Drawing on these experiences, Adrian created Distant Lands--A Traveler's Bookstore, to equip travelers with information and skills to make travel easier and more enjoyable.
Since opening its doors, Distant Lands has quadrupled its inventory, but has not lost its focus. An atmosphere conducive to browsing and the love of travel are paramount, as is the depth and breadth of its selection. The aim at Distant Lands is to give the traveler the most complete selection of books and maps in an atmosphere that encourages wanderlust.
In 1995, Distant Lands Travel Outfitters opened, giving the traveling public access to the very best travel accessories, clothing, luggage and travel packs available. Durability, functionality and usefulness to travelers of all descriptions determine the items found at Distant Lands. The result is a one-stop resource center for the serious traveler.
Today, Distant Lands Travel Bookstore and Outfitters strive to be the best source for travelers, with a knowledgeable staff, informative programs, selection and the willingness to go the extra mile.
The King Brothers attempted to add footage to the American version of "Rodan" (1956) of American Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force ships firing their main guns and anti-aircraft batteries at the Rodans (the Kings had switched the city from Fukuoka, which had no naval facilities, to Sasebo, which had them). The brothers wanted footage of joint American-Japanese naval gunfire exercises, but the Pentagon refused, to avoid the Soviets seeing training techniques. Ironically, a year later, in 1957 with "The Mysterians," the Pentagon would freely offer stock footage for public relations purposes.
The King Brothers were reportedly concerned that their dubbing actors would sorely mispronounce the word "Fukuoka" at inappropriate moments. - IMDB
Above, the Hario Towers in 2007. Photo by Armand Vaquer.
On December 7, 1941, the Japanese fleet in the mid-Pacific Ocean launched an attack on the navy base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This attack ushered in the entry of the United States into World War II.
The order for the attack was transmitted in code (“Climb Mount Niitaka 1208”) by wireless shortwave radio from the Hario wireless telegraph station near Sasebo, Kyushu.
The three Hario wireless towers stand at 446 feet. Construction on the towers began in 1918 and completed in
1922. The towers were decommissioned in 1997 and are now in the care of the Japanese Coast Guard.
Plans are underway to preserve the towers as cultural assets to teach future generations about World War II.
The towers were shown in Rodan (1956) during a fly-by scene of one of the Rodans (above) and during the aerial chase with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
I visited the area where the towers are located in April 2007 when I went to see the Saikai Bridge (featured in Rodan). The towers are not far from the bridge (left).
Here is the latest on the upcoming issues of "Godzilla Legends" from IDW Publishing:
IDW Publishing is proud to launch the first issue in a new mini-series, GODZILLA LEGENDS. The series features five self-contained stories, each centering on one of Godzilla's fearsome foes. Beginning with Anguirus in issue #1, each issue focuses on a Toho monster that has never been closely examined in comics—ever! Through its action-packed run, GODZILLA LEGENDS will treat readers to all-new stories of Anguirus, Rodan, Titanosaurus, Hedorah and Kumonga, each spotlighting in their own issue. This miniseries will also offer stunning interconnected covers by Arthur Adams.
In GODZILLA LEGENDS #1, drawn and co-written by Matt Frank, Anguirus, the perpetual underdog, goes toe-to-toe with one of the most devastating monsters of all time-Destoroyah! This is a classic tale of David vs. Goliath... monster style! Writers Jeff Prezenkowski and Matt Frank keep readers on the edge of their seats throughout the entire issue. Readers are encouraged to ask their retailers about a variant Matt Frank cover, as well as a unique hand-sketched Matt Frank cover.
The action continues with GODZILLA LEGENDS #2, coming in December. Writer Jonathan Vankin and artist Simon Gane create a sure-fire hit featuring the master of the skies—the mighty Rodan!
Godzilla: Legends #2 Jonathin Vankin (w) • Simon Gane (a) • Chris Scalf, Arthur Adams (c)
The spotlights on Godzilla’s greatest foes and allies continue! This issue focuses on the master of the skies— the mighty Rodan! When Rodan's egg is stolen and kept at military research facility, the winged beast is tireless in its attempts to retrieve it. However, the human intrigue and betrayal inside the facility will ultimately hold the key to whether Rodan and child will be reunited again!
In January, Titanosaurus headlines his very own comic, courtesy of writer Mike Raicht and artist Tony Parker for GODZILLA LEGENDS #3. February brings GODZILLA LEGENDS #4 and the first-ever fight between Hedorah and Mechagodzilla, with writer Chris Mowry and artist E.J. Su. This epic series closes in March when the government asks renowned, retired adventurer Bryson Allworth to do the impossible – climb Godzilla! Helmed by writer Bobby Curnow with artist Dean Haspiel, GODZILLA LEGENDS #5 is a fittingly thrilling end to this must-have series.
Each issue will feature covers by renowned Godzilla artists. In addition to the interconnecting, series-long covers by Adams, Bob Eggleton will create covers for issues 1, 3 and 5, with covers from Chris Scalf for issues 2 and 4.
Godzilla Legends #1 ($3.99, 32 pages, full color) is available in stores on November 16th. Diamond order code: SEP11 0286.
Godzilla Legends #2 ($3.99, 32 pages, full color) is available in stores in December. Diamond order code: OCT11 0349.
Godzilla Legends #3 ($3.99, 32 pages, full color) is available in stores in January. Diamond order code: NOV11 0310.
Godzilla Legends #4 ($3.99, 32 pages, full color) is available in stores in February 2012.
Godzilla Legends #5 ($3.99, 32 pages, full color) is available in stores in March 2012.
It's an all-out brawl of monstrous proportions and Earth is the battlefield! The Xiliens have pitted Godzilla, Rodan, Gigan and King Ghidorah against each other in a catastrophic battle and only one monster will emerge victorious! In this Godzilla: Kaiju World Wars board game, players pick a monster and a scenario, stomping over terrain and destroying buildings on their warpath - all while fending off aggressive military attacks, bombs, traps and, of course, other Kaiju! Special abilities are used to eliminate the competition or to tuck their tail between their legs and run away before they are taken out. The game is jam-packed with pieces sure to please any gamer. Along with the 4 fully-painted 2 3/8-inch plastic Kaiju figurines, the game also includes 90 stackable plastic tiles for building skyscrapers, 4 individual monster playmats, 86 terrain and power tokens, and much more. You've never had so much fun ravaging the world as you will when you play Godzilla: Kaiju World Wars! Order yours today!
Written By: Ken Hulsey Sources: Pop Culture Zoo / Mark Torchia
Last October IDW Publishing announced that they had struck a deal with Toho studios to bring the world's most popular monster, "Godzilla", back to comics in the United States. According to IDW the publishing company not only secured the rights to Godzilla, but also Mothra, Rodan, and King Ghidorah as well, characters who until now had never appeared in comic books on this side of the Pacific.
As you probably already know, this will not be the monster's" first comic book series here in America. Way back in 1977/78, Marvel Comics published the 24 issue series "Godzilla, King of the Monsters" which was written by Doug Moench and illustrated by Herb Trimpe. That series featured Godzilla fighting both brand-new monsters and some of the comic book publisher's most famous heroes like Spider Man and the Fantastic Four. Likewise in the 1990s Dark Horse Comics continued the "King of the Monsters" label, again with stories about Godzilla fighting new monsters and an elite combat unit commissioned to destroy him.
In this decade, graphic artist Todd Tennant began publishing a great online comic series called "Godzilla 94" that is based on the unused Sony movie script by Rossio and Elliott.
Efforts by Tennant, and recently Blue Water Comics, to secure the rights to Godzilla for either a "Godzilla 94" comic book or a new comic book series, were ignored by Toho (who would not return phone calls or emails on the subject) which is a strong indication that the IDW deal has been in the works for some time.
More information about this new Godzilla comic, which I forgot to mention is called "Godzilla, Monster World", comes in the form of a press release that IDW just sent out to the media:
IDW Publishing and Toho Co., Ltd. are excited to announce the return to comics for the biggest star in motion pictures! Kicking off in March, GODZILLA®: MONSTER WORLD offers fans the world over the first ongoing comic series in years. GODZILLA® will be joined by many other monsters throughout the series, including MOTHRA™, KING GHIDORAH™, RODAN™ and more that have never before been featured in an American comic book series alongside King of the Monsters™.
“Godzilla has been gone from comics for too long” said YukioKotaki of Toho. “And to have it return with other monsters is simply very exciting.”
Bringing these fearsome creatures back to comics is a larger-than-life creative team, led by co-writers Eric Powell (The Goon) and Tracy Marsh. Artist Phil Hester (Kevin Smith’s The Green Hornet) will capture every monster moment. The series will feature not one but two painted covers, offered on a 50/50 basis: Eric Powell will provide a gatefold wraparound cover featuring many beloved Toho monsters, and fan-favorite artist Alex Ross contributed an imposing image of Godzilla®. Powell has also painted a separate incentive cover to herald the debut issue’s launch.
“To be able to launch a Godzilla series that features many fan-favorite Toho monsters never before seen in comics is gratifying enough,” said Chris Ryall, IDW’s Chief Creative Officer. “But to do it with the guiding hand and brush of Eric Powell — as perfectly suited a creator as I could’ve hoped to come aboard here – along with Hester, Marsh, and Ross, is about as monstrous a line-up as I could’ve ever hoped for. What’s more, this is just the first series to come in the line. The next one out of the gates features multiple Eisner-nominees and winners handling the creative, so we’re well and truly just getting started here.”
In GODZILLA®: MONSTER WORLD, a full-scale apocalypse is brewing. The monsters are a force of nature whose attacks can be no more predicted or rationalized than a lightning strike. There will be no clean-cut heroes with perfectly chiseled chins and capes billowing in the wind; only ordinary human beings struggling desperately to survive in a world gone mad.
With an impressive cast of monsters both old and new, IDW’s series will treat fans to both familiar themes and original takes on the pop culture legends that have stomped, smashed, and fought their way across movie screens for over four decades.
Adding to great creators and a monster story, IDW is also offering killer retailer specials for GODZILLA®: MONSTER WORLD #1, including a one-of-a-kind, hand-drawn Eric Powell sketch cover. Plus, retailers will be eligible for their very own cover – featuring Godzilla stomping their comic store.
GODZILLA: MONSTER WORLD #1 ($3.99, 32 pages, full color) will be available in comic stores in March 2011. Diamond order code JAN11 0463.
There have been many people in the entertainment biz that have questioned why film maker, Jules Urbach, would opt to make a live-action, 3D, film based on a Japanese giant robot cartoon from the 1970s that was rarely seen on American television?
Others are also wondering why Urbach would choose to release his film, "Gaiking", in the same year as "Godzilla 2012", "The Avengers", "Star Trek 2", "Batman 3", possibly "Cloverfield 2", "Iron Man 3", and the newly announced, "Monsterpocalypse"?
True, the "Transformers" movies have made bank, and similar films, such as "Robotech", "Voltron" and "Battletech" are also in development for release over the next few years, but making a film based on a property such as "Gaiking" looks, on the outset, like a major gamble.
I'm sure that there are a good amount of us generation x'ers out there that remember "Gaiking" from the popular Mattel toy line, "Shogun Warriors", which came out in the late 70s, but that's hardly enough of a fan base to warrant such an outing........or is it?
Recently the website, Heat Vision, caught up with Urbach and picked his brain for information about his film:
HV: "Transformers" is pretty huge. and there's a "Voltron" movie in the works. Is there room for something like "Gaiking" that isn't that well known here?
Urbach: "Voltron" really took off because of the great cartoon. "Gaiking" never had that and neither did "Shogun Warriors" as a whole. The only thing we had was "Four Spies" here in the U.S. And that was only shown on the East coast for a little bit. I can only imagine how this property would have been perceived if we had a normal cartoon.
In France or Italy, this is bigger than Spider-Man. Toei understands this will do very well in Europe, where the cartoon is well-known. They approached us because they wanted somebody outside Japan to take a crack at this.
Our goal was to figure out a way that would be appealing to an American audience. And while there's a lot of people who played with the toys, we are not counting on any of that. For most people, this will be completely new.
And I think we did a good job introducing it, even from that little teaser. It's just been exciting to be introducing it to a lot of people and seeing their reaction.
HV: Are you worried about the title being a little inaccessible? Why not go with "Shogun Warriors"?
Urbach: We wanted to introduce one robot and thought it should be the focus of the film. It's like you want to introduce Superman before you introduce the Justice League, right?
The title is something that we're still looking at. It's in the mix. We are very aware of the possible limitations. I can't speak for Toei, so I can't speak how it will be used in the marketing of that film. We just want to use it wisely.
HV: There was a time when there were a lot of giant robot cartoons. And now with special effects technology being where it is, we're poised for a movement in movies. What do you think is the appeal of giant robots?
Urbach: Gaiking and those kinds of robots, you're talking about giant robots that are piloted by humans. You're not talking about Transformers, where they are their own characters. These robots are the extension of the pilots; they are really like giant suits of armor. So it's really the people inside them that are the characters. That is a huge differentiator. Gaiking is one pilot. It's really the pilot expressing himself through this giant mecha.
Here is that mega-cool teaser trailer that is mentioned in the interview:
Though the film maker doesn't touch on it in the interview, there is already interest in adding more of the robots from the "Shogun Warriors" line in a planned sequel, tentatively titled.....you guessed it...."Shogun Warriors".
Just which of these classic Japanese giant robots will make it into that film is still up in the air, but reportedly Urbach has already secured the rights to many of them and in his own words, "(Shogun Warriors)...will feature more of the robots, than the Marvel Comics series did."
Now, I know exactly what you are thinking. The "Shogun Warriors" line of toys featured a few very prominent names from Japanese pop-culture, including, The Great Mazinger, Godzilla, and, unofficially, Rodan.
Was Urbach able to secure the rights to use any of these characters in his film? Will we see Mazinger (called Mazinga in the toy line) in the movie? Could the film maker have been able to cough up enough dough to get Toho to let him use two of their prize properties, namely Godzilla and Rodan?
Urbach isn't saying, yet, which robots are going to be in his movie, except Gaiking....and that's kinda a given. Though, he does plan to reveal all at this years Comic Con, which I will be attending.
Of course, since Legendary Pictures is already making a "Godzilla" movie here in The States, so any chance of seeing the monster go toe-to-toe with Japan's greatest giant robots is all but an absolute 'no chance in hell'.
Though, that may make for the greatest movie ever!
I don't see that happening, and without Godzilla, there certainly won't be a Rodan in the mix either.
Mazinger, however, could be in the film, and that alone would be amazing.
Wonder why Urbach didn't go with Mazinger anyway? I mean, the Japanese animated show was released here in America under the name, "Tranzor Z".
Oh, well. Here is some history on "Gaiking" and the "Shogun Warriors" from Wikipeadia:
Demon Dragon of the Heavens Gaiking (大空魔竜ガイキング, Daikū Maryū Gaikingu) was a Super Robot mecha anime series produced by Toei Animation, credited as an original idea by Akio Sugino. However, in reality the original idea was of Go Nagai. Toei deliberately took Nagai out of the credits in order to avoid the payment of royalties. Because of that, Nagai sued Toei and stopped further collaborations with Toei for a long time. The legal battle lasted more than 10 years. Nagai himself confirmed that he was the creator of Gaiking in the Comicon 2007 in Naples, Italy.
It ran from April 1976 through January 1977 and consisted of 44 26-minute episodes. Gaiking was notable for being one of the few super robot series to take place in real places outside of Japan, and for being the first Super Robot series to have a mobile carrier for the chief robots. In the USA, Gaiking was part of Mattel's popular Shogun Warriors import toy line of the late 1970's and Jim Terry's Force Five anthology series. In 2005, a sequel titled "Gaiking Legend of Daiku-Maryu" was produced. On March 28, 2010, a Live-Action Movie based on the series, simply entitled, Gaiking, was announced at the 2010 Tokyo Animation Fair. In international production will be helmed by American filmmakers, Jules Urbach and Matthew Gratzner. Gaiking is being prepped for a 2012 world-wide release.
Shogun Warriors were a line of toys, licensed by Mattel during the late 1970s that consisted of a series of imported Japanese robots all based on then-popular giant robot anime shows. They were originally manufactured in three sizes, the 24-inch (610 mm) plastic versions, the 3.5-inch (89 mm) diecast metal versions and the slightly taller but much more detailed and articulated 5" diecast versions. There were also several vehicles offered and a set that could be put together to form Combattra (Combattler V).
The most attractive features on these toys were the spring loaded launcher weapons such as missiles, star shuriken, and battleaxes. Some robots were able to launch their fists. The later diecast versions of these toys were also attractive for the ability to transform into different shapes. Raydeen, for instance, was changeable into a birdlike spaceship. These "convertible" editions were the precursors to the "Transformers" line of toy robots but unlike the later toyline it was not unusual for minor dissasembly to be required to achieve the secondary form. There was even a robot named Megatron in issue #18 of the comic, then the name was used multipe times for the leader of the evil Decepticons from Transformers. Also, the second form was not always an apparently useful one, a "giant skull" for instance.
Like certain other toylines of the 70s, the Shogun Warriors came under pressure due to safety concerns regarding their spring loaded weapons features. Children would launch the weapons and hit other children or pets in the eye, or else they would swallow the plastic missiles. Toy manufacturers were facing new regulations due to reported child injuries as a result of playing with these toys. Consequently, many toy companies were forced to remodel existing toylines with child safe variations (such as spring loaded "action" missiles that would remain attached to the toy). For this reason, as well as decreasing sales, the Shogun Warriors toyline disappeared by 1980.
Several of the anime from this toyline were seen in the 80s as part of Jim Terry's Force Five series.
Shogun Warriors was licensed in 1979–1980 for a 20-issue series by Marvel Comics, which was written by Doug Moench and featured art by Herb Trimpe. In the comic, the Shogun Warriors were created by a mysterious group called the Followers of the Light. Human operators were chosen from all around the world to operate the massive robots in order to battle evil.
The series is firmly rooted in the Marvel Universe, as evidenced by their interactions with Doctor Demonicus in issues #12-14 and the Fantastic Four in the last two issues of the series. Issue #15 was a fill-in issue written by Steven Grant with art by Mike Vosburg. The series took a dramatic turn with issue #16, as the Shogun Warriors' mentors were destroyed by the Primal One and his followers. This alien force decided that Earth's technology had outpaced its morality, and so it was their duty to destroy the Shogun Warriors as well as other powerful humans, including Reed Richards and Tony Stark.
Though he never appeared in the comic series, Red Ronin (a robot created for Marvel's Godzilla comic) was mentioned occasionally and was frequently talked about in the letters pages.
Now available at ComiXpress.com, The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan is a travel guide tailored to fans of Japanese giant monsters (kaiju).
The description at ComiXpress:
Fans of Japanese science-fiction and fantasy movies can now travel to Japan to find the movie locations used in their favorite movies. From Hokkaido to Kyushu, many locations were used in actuality and blended in with detailed miniatures. This guide will tell the traveler where the location is, how to get there, what other nearby attractions to see and where to stay (when available). This is the first travel guide aimed at fans of Japanese science-fiction and fantasy movies.
The guide provides the nuts & bolts of traveling to Japan including immigration and customs procedures, Shinkansen (bullet train) travel, JR Rail Pass, currency exchange, weather and other topics.
The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan retails for $15.00 US, but wholesales rates are available to dealers, travel agents and tour operators.
The Guide will also be a useful tool for Japan travel agents and tour operators when planning group, or individual, tours of Japan.
Above, the Wako Dept. store in Ginza was demolished in "Godzilla" (1954).
Above, Osaka Castle was the battleground between Godzilla and Anguirus in "Godzilla Raids Again" (1955).
Above, Tokyo Tower has been featured in "Mothra" (1961), "Gamera, Guardian of the Universe" (1995) and many other Japanese giant monster movies.
Above, Fukuoka Tower played a prominent role in "Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla" (1994).
Above, the Saikai Bridge was blown down in "Rodan" (1956).
These and may other locations are covered in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.
The Morita Shouji company has produced a very unique line of kaiju related figures. Instead of making them out of plastic, like Bandai, these figures are made of wood.
Just like the miniature Godzilla figures that were released in 2004 to celebrate the monsters 50th birthday, these figures are hand-crafted with super detailing.
Do you want one? I certainly do, only one problem, these babies come with a very hefty price tag due to the very limited number that will be produced.
The figures in this line start at $3,000 each. In fact that is the price for the smallest Godzilla and Mothra figures. The most expensive is the King Ghidorah figure, which stands 260cm high and weighs 150kg. You can take one of those home for $23,000.
Morita Shouji is only producing 20 of each different figure, which includes Rodan, Anguirus, Godzilla and Mothra. So if you are a completest, then you may have to get another mortgage on your house to own the entire set.
If you are lucky enough to be a rich Japanese monster movie fan, then you can click on the banner below to browse through the most expensive line of Godzilla related figures ever produced!
Note: The wooden figures are only for sale in Japan, but it has been mentioned that the company would ship outside the country.....for the right price.
Anyone who doubts the influences of Japanese monster movies on popular culture should take a good look at a current exhibit at the Art Center of South Florida. The exhibit, entitled, "Kaiju Monster Invasion: Miami Beach" features vinyl figures, statues, toys, paintings and other various forms of art inspired by Godzilla, Gamera, Ultraman and all their friends. The works on display were created by Pop Surrealists from around the globe, including Coop, Ron English, Mark Nagata and Skot Olsen.
I have to admit that this one flew under my radar. The exhibit opened back on December 2nd, but fear not. There is still time to check it out. "Kaiju Monster Invasion: Miami Beach" (Curated by Harold Golen) runs until January 4th, 2009.
Here is the official info:
Kaiju Monster Invasion: Miami Beach Curated by Harold Golen
Opens December 2, - January 4, 2008 Opening Reception, Wednesday, December 3 (Guess we kinda missed that)
ArtCenter / South Florida 800 Lincoln Road Miami Beach, FL 33139 Website - HERE
This is exhibition featuring Japanese monster-inspired interpretations by renowned contemporary western and eastern artists. The Japanese word Kaiju, which translates to “strange beast” or “monster”, first emerged in post-war Japan in the 1950s and 1960s. After experiencing the Atomic Bomb, Godzilla (a radioactive lizard) and Gamera (a giant flying turtle) became the mutant brainchildren of anti-nuclear cinema. Now a half-century later, Lowbrow and Pop Surrealists including Coop, Ron English, Mark Nagata and Skot Olsen have been inspired by and amassed their very own collections of the famed vinyl monsters.
I just love that painting of "King Ceasar". I wonder if the artist will ever sell prints of it?
Godzilla fans will soon be able to cause their own miniature destruction when veteran game designer Richard Berg unveils his brand-new kaiju board game. The game,which is presently in the early stages of development, will feature some Toho's famous giant monsters including Godzilla, Rodan, King Ghidorah, and Gigan. The plan for this new game is for it to be "non-collectible", which means all the required figures and game pieces will come in one box. That, however, doesn't rule out the possibility of expansion sets and new monsters in the future.
At this time Berg is conducting "play-test sessions" and adjusting the rules for better game play.
Here is a description of how the game will work from i09.com:
The mechanics are intended to be relatively simple and fast moving. Players split a set number of action points per turn between their monsters and military units. Monsters collect victory points by trashing buildings, stomping tanks and beating each other up with fists, nuclear breath, claws and other attacks. Monster-on-monster combat involves playing a series of attack cards that define how many dice you roll. Everyone rolls a pile of dice and figures out how many hits they've scored.
Look for this one to be released in 2009...........awsome!
