This interview seemed like the perfect fit for Halloween and just a few days before Godzilla’s 65th anniversary. So from all the way back in July, here is the final chapter of San Diego Comic Con coverage where I was able to talk with Toho representative, Akito Takahashi about Godzilla. Enjoy!
Comic Attack: Are we ever going to get more movies with rubber suits again or will we stick with mostly digital?
Akito Takahashi: We are not opposed to the rubber suits, however, it depends on the director and their vision for the movie they work on. There’s a lot of differences between cgi and rubber suits, but if they want to use them, we’re totally open to it. We’re mostly getting directors coming to us with ideas that work in cgi but we’re not condemning the rubber suits either. My personal opinion, when you do cgi, the action is going to be very well calculated so it always comes out a certain way. There’s no mishaps. The rubber suits add an element of surprise for filming, that added element can add those mishaps to the fight and help tell the story and what adds the strength for the suits.
CA: Will there be more Shin-Godzilla?
AT: That question has been voiced by the Japanese people as well! However, we always want to create more things and new things. So it’s not our focus right now to go in that direction but of course, that’s always left up to the creators we bring on board and what they want to bring to the table. We’re open to ideas of what they want to emphasize and right now that’s not in our current future. We don’t know yet, but we’ll probably see a variety of different types of Godzilla.
CA: What are we calling the King of the Monsters setting?
AT: It’s just Godzilla. Right now, since it just came out it doesn’t really have a nickname yet. Maybe in a few years when more of the films have come out we’ll feel like there’s something to name it off.
CA: In King of the Monsters, we see many Titans as cameos, will we be getting any returning classics in the future or will they mostly be new entries to the series?
AT: We think that will absolutely happen, it’s part of the whole Godzilla universe. We’re absolutely always trying to figure out how and who we can bring back.
CA: Can you tell us what you’re most excited for what’s on the horizon from Toho?
AT: Godzilla will be 65 on November 3rd of this year. That’s what we consider Godzilla’s birthday so we’re very excited about that. There’s going to be a Godzilla festival in Japan to celebrate. We’re hoping it catches on world wide and get fans and celebrities from all over the world to join us in celebration of his 65th anniversary.
CA: What is your favorite of the Godzilla movies and creatures?
AT: As a movie, Shin-Godzilla, it’s my absolute favorite. In terms of the creatures, I know he’s not a monster but Jet Jaguar is my personal favorite. He’s only in one movie but he still has a lasting impact.
CA: Are going to get any of the Mecha characters showing up?
AT: In Ready Player One, Mecha-Godzilla makes a cameo, so with that we saw there was a noticeable appreciation of these characters. So we’re always trying to figure out ways to bring these things in, it’s just a matter of how to do them justice.
CA: Are there any video game plans?
AT: There was a smart phone game released not too long ago but other than that, there are no games planned yet. There’s still some planning going on but that’s far off in the works.
There you have it! I want to thank Toho for providing me the opportunity of getting to talk about Godzilla and thank Aska Naito for interpreting. Hope your Halloween is a good time and you remember to honor Godzilla on his birthday. Here’s to many more years of the big guy!
Dr. Bustos
drbustos@comicattack.net
