Godzilla regenerating in Godzilla Minus One
By
Bill Dubiel
Published 33 minutes ago
Bill Dubiel is a veteran writer, editor, and college professor based in Buffalo, NY. He has been a Senior Writer with Screen Rant since 2023. You can usually find him at a late-night double feature including the newest horror movie and latest Oscar bait.
Sign in to your ScreenRant account
Summary
Generate a summary of this story
follow
Follow
followed
Followed
Like
Like
Thread
Log in
Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents:
Try something different:
Show me the facts
Explain it like I’m 5
Give me a lighthearted recap
Director Takashi Yamazaki restored the terror to the iconic visage of Godzilla with Godzilla Minus One, and naturally all eyes are on the follow-up, which was recently revealed to be titled Godzilla Minus Zero. Theories about the new title have percolated across the internet, but no matter what the central plot is, it seems all but certain that Yamazaki's Godzilla will follow in his predecessors' footsteps and take on another monster.
It's perfectly natural to think that Toho would once again go to the well of its most popular monsters from their tokusatsu past, namely Mothra, King Ghidorah, or Mechagodzilla. In fact, Takashi Yamazaki's versions of King Ghidorah and Mechagodzilla have already been seen outside the movies, so either would make sense for Godzilla to take on.
However, all of those monsters have been iterated into oblivion during Godzilla's 70-year history, and there wouldn't be a ton of new ground for Yamazaki to explore. There is another monster that makes far more sense for Godzilla Minus Zero, and it's one that Yamazaki himself has expressed interest in resurrecting for cinema.
Hedorah Is The Perfect Fit For Takashi Yamazaki's Visual Style
Hedorah from Godzilla Final Wars
Hedorah, otherwise known as the Smog Monster, has developed a cult following since his debut in 1971's Godzilla vs. Hedorah. The ultra-goofy appearance of his final form, which is essentially a sentient pile of sludge with breathtakingly large red and yellow eyes, belies a shocking array of lethal powers; in their first battle, Hedorah nearly killed Godzilla after poisoning thousands across Japan.
Yamazaki himself has expressed how much he adores Hedorah as a character, and how he has interest in remaking Godzilla vs. Hedorah. Per Kaiju United, at a panel at Comic-Con in 2024, Yamazaki discussed what the most appealing elements of a remake would be.
I think that for its time, Hedorah was a very cutting-edge kaiju, and thinking about the type of visual expression we can do with technology and how far it’s come today – I’m imagining how it would move, and I think that would be a really cool remake.
Yamazaki and his crew won an Academy Award for their VFX work on Godzilla Minus One, which was done for a shockingly low amount of money given the quality of its visuals. He's reportedly getting even more to work with for the sequel, and it's clear that he has a plan for Hedorah. The Smog Monster would make for a perfect visual foil for his Godzilla, which is all about sharp angles and extreme, sudden motion.
As an extraterrestrial that grows to kaiju size after feeding off Earth's pollution, he carries as heavy a metaphorical meaning as Godzilla himself does with regard to nuclear war. There is plenty of narrative juice to work with, which is a big part of why he could work so well in Godzilla Minus Zero. Yamazaki has proven he is capable of writing an award-winning human drama, and Hedorah plays directly into humanity's relationship with nature.
Godzilla Minus Zero
Like Follow Followed Horror Drama Sci-Fi Director Takashi Yamazaki Writers Takashi YamazakiCast
See All-
Ryunosuke Kamiki
Koichi Shikishima
-
Minami Hamabe
Noriko Oishi
Expand
Collapse
-
Godzilla Minus Zero
We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.
Be the first to post Images Attachment(s) Please respect our community guidelines. No links, inappropriate language, or spam.Your comment has not been saved
Send confirmation emailThis thread is open for discussion.
Be the first to post your thoughts.
- Terms
- Privacy
- Feedback
7 hours ago
8 Doctor Doom Variants Who Would Make Avengers: Doomsday A Total Hit
8 hours ago
Tulsa King Season 3, Episode 10 Review: A Satisfying Yet Unsurprising End To An Underwhelming Season
6 hours ago
Who Is Gallino: Andy Garcia’s Landman Villain Explained
1 hour ago
Everything We Know About Aunt Gladys Origin In Weapons
More from our brands
All 38 'Godzilla' Movies in Chronological Order
42 Greatest R-Rated Adult Anime Series of All Time
Best Gender-Bender Anime, Ranked
The 45 Best Mecha Anime of All Time
'Godzilla x Kong; Supernova' Rumor Points to Long-Forgotten Alien Villain
20 Strongest Titans in Legendary's MonsterVerse, Ranked
Shin Godzilla And Shin Godzilla Forms, Explained
Trending Now
10 Hulk Moments In The MCU So Dark They Left The World Speechless
Mayor of Kingstown Season 4, Episode 5 Review: Move Over Landman, This Is Sheridan's Best Show
Landman Season 2, Episode 2 Review: Taylor Sheridan's Hit Series Is Officially Back In Business
