Total Film Sees Extended Footage of Godzilla 2014 and Shares Spoilers

What kind of horror does a tsunami caused by Godzilla make? 

On the morning of Friday February 28th, Total Film was among a select few that were able to see 20 minutes of extended footage. They share a few spoilers and finished with a few quotes from godzilla 2014 director Gareth Edwards. Read the Gareth part followed by one of the more a harmless spoilers.

Thematically, he wanted to explore: "Man vs nature, the fact that if you mess with nature you're going  to lose."

In the film, "Man is no longer the alpha predator on this planet."

But nature wasn't the only influence on the flick. Edwards said that anime and manga played a part during the storyboard process: "When we got stuck, we'd say 'What would Akira do?'". Which, obviously, was incredibly exciting to hear.

He also revealed that it's the biggest Godzilla to hit the big screen. "Technically he's 350ft in our film."

He also noted that they experimented with different sizes, making him small, huge, and dinosaur size. But then they realized that 350ft made him the biggest of all the Godzillas "So we said, 'let's do that.'"

But there were other reasons: "We wanted him to be big, but also we wanted to be able to hide him, because that's more fun."

You will have to go to TOTAL FILM and read "Godzilla (2014) Extended Footage Reaction" in order to read all the spoilers. We share one of the more harmless spoilers below. It describes a graphic tsunami scene and a description of Godzilla. No plot spoilers here though.

!!! SPOILER !!!
A huge tidal wave starts to build, and we follow a crowd as they flee through the city. This sequence is pretty powerful - almost resonant of news footage, reminding us all of the natural disasters we've been forced to to witness in the real world in recent years.

In one incredible shot, we see bodies caught in the water pass by a glass door, shot from the viewpoint of people safe inside. It's sickening to see the bodies tumble past, caught in the current.

Then we cut to the big guy. Godzilla himself. We see his hands - they look fantastic, ridiculously canon - then his broad midriff, then onto his huge tail as it sweeps through the city. Soldiers shoot, but to no avail.
!! END SPOILER

New Godzilla Trailer with Gareth Edwards Commentary Track

Godzilla 2014 Director, Gareth Edwards, does commentary on new Godzilla Trailer

Now that we have drooled over the new Godzilla 2014 trailer, I think our appetite has been satiated for a while. I mean, in a perfect world we would have the director, Gareth Edwards, himself provide a commentary to the newly released trailer. The world just became perfect.

Those guys at Empire Magazine have all the exclusives, from an awesome collectible Godzilla magazine covers to the alternate Godzilla cover and now they have provided the new Godzilla trailer with commentary by Gareth Edwards. Thank you Empire Magazine! This is definitely a treat to to the fans, watch below. and read Empires excerpt after the vid.

From Empire Online:

Two days ago, the full trailer for Godzilla roared emphatically into our lives. Today, Empire unveils a very special trailer breakdown for it, featuring the director of the film, Gareth Edwards, guiding you though the jaw-dropping footage you've seen.

Discover what Edwards himself makes of fans' guesswork - "Is that a tentacle holding a bomb?" - and try to make your own version of the roar (provided you have a double bass and a leather glove handy). Whether you're a die-hard fan of Toho Studios' finest, or just a passing movie lover, you'll want to watch this - and at the loudest volume possible.

SRC: Empire Online

Godzilla in New Snickers Commercial

Godzilla ready with a high-five at the beach

The Snickers Godzilla video below is making the rounds, we went straight to AdWeek to get the details on the the idea behind the video and we even included the credits. read the blurb from AdWeek:

If only someone would get Godzilla a Snickers, so much urban destruction could be averted.
A new spot for the candy bar brand applies its "You're not you when you're hungry" tagline to the famous Japanese monster, who will return to U.S. theaters this May. When he's not wreaking havoc on entire cities, Godzilla is in fact a monster ladies' man, ping-pong player and water skier—a consummate bro.

BBDO's execution of the ad is more or less genius, complete with cheesy theme music and zippy montage. Godzilla himself is styled as an oversized action figure, more like Bobcat Goldthwait's tiny-town-wrecking incarnation in One Crazy Summer than Hollywood's city-stomping terror lizard.

I suppose we should be glad the "real" Godzilla isn't such a good guy with a sweet tooth for nougat. If he were really that easy to calm him down, it wouldn't make for much of a movie. SRC: AdWeek "Godzilla Is One Hard-Partying Bro, Until He Runs Out of Snickers"

CREDITS
Client: Mars/Snickers
Spot: "Godzilla"
Agency: BBDO New York
Chief Creative Officer, Worldwide: David Lubars
Chief Creative Officer, New York: Greg Hahn
Executive Creative Director: Gianfranco Arena
Executive Creative Director: Peter Kain
CD/Copywriter: Alex Taylor
CD/Art Director: Jason Stefanik
Group Executive Producer: Amy Wertheimer
Executive Music Producer: Loren Parkins
Production Company: Smith and Jones
Director: Ulf Johansson
Director of Photography: Andrejz Sekula
Music House: South/AKM
Edit House: Mackenzie Cutler
Editor: Ian Mackenzie
Visual Effects House: MPC NY
VFX Producer: Camila De Biaggi
VFX Supervisor: Alex Lovejoy
Mix: Heard City
Mixer: Keith Raynaud
Telecine: Company 3
Colorist: Tim Masick

Operation Castle: Declassified Video of the "Tests" to Kill Godzilla

The 1954 nuclear tests Godzilla 2014 referes to were called Operation Castle 

With a unique take on the new 2nd Godzilla Trailer, The Mother Jones digs up declassified information on the 1954 nuclear tests referred to in the 2nd Trailer. It is appropriate that a a self-described, "politically left-wing American magazine, featuring investigative and breaking news reporting on politics, the environment, human rights, and culture." would pick out a previously classified government operation.

There is now doubt that watching the declassified video below will add to the anticipation and reallness of the new Godzilla movie. read an excerpt from the Mother Jones article below followed by the declassified video of Operation Castle

At about the minute mark, you hear characters explaining how mankind created its own colossal nightmare. Their explanation seems to call out actual American nuclear testing, specifically Operation Castle. Here are some lines of dialogue narrating images in the trailer:

In 1954, we awakened something.

With those nuclear tests in the Pacific.

Not tests...

They were trying to kill it.

And thus Godzilla comes back as a radioactive beast to destroy and rampage.

The nuclear "tests" mentioned in the trailer (and presumably the film) likely refer to Operation Castle, a series of nuclear tests conducted by the United States in early 1954 at Bikini Atoll. The original Godzilla film (Gojira) premiered that same year, and was cleverly critical of that kind of testing. (The critically maligned 1998 Godzilla, directed by Roland Emmerich, blamed Godzilla's wrath on nuclear tests in French Polynesia.)

SRC: The Mother Jones

WATCH 2nd Godzilla 2014 Trailer

A hidden easter egg at GodzillaMovie.com/AwakenTheTruth provided a link to the video of a panicked and frustrated Joe Brody. Joe Brody is the character played by Bryan Cranston in the upcoming new Godzilla 2014 movie. During the audio was a simply today's date in red letters and then in white, "10:00 AM PST"

It was a mystery for almost 12 hours, it was thought of as a preview to the second Godzilla trailer. Well, now we know check out what we have been waiting for overnight. read our reaction after the video.



Our first reaction we think it is AWESOME. it definitely generated more queswtions than answers. We were surprised to see scenes from New York and the best part is when they said "those weren't nuclear test, they were trying to destroy it!"

insert video.

Empire Magazine releases New Godzilla Collector Cover and Goji's New Roar

Empire magazine's Godzilla cover (Click image to enlarge)

"Trying to get the face right was the main thing..." --Gareth Edwards' on Godzilla design

When Empire magazine announced their Godzilla cover, they were able to insights into the design of Godzilla from Gareth Edwards. Read a blurb below:

"Trying to get the face right was the main thing," says Edwards. "I guess he's got more of a bear's face, or a dog's. We also used eagle. There's a lot of nobility in an eagle. It made him feel very majestic and noble." Edwards also used London-based motion-capture facility The Imaginarium and its head, one Andy Serkis, on certain sequences to "control the souls" (as Edwards puts it) of his creations.

Godzilla'a new roar has also been released below are two versions for your choosing. We think the Soundcloud has a little better quality.




WWW.TOHOKINGDOM.COM GODZILLA Roar Sound Wave Online Clip-1080P from CSM Films on Vimeo.
Godzilla's waveform roar in 1080p!

Flame Throwing Mechagodzilla Float at this Year's Mardi Gras

Blueprint of Flame-throwing Mechagodzilla Float

In a nutshell, this is how kaiju gets introduced to Mardi Gras.

The actual word Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday". Fat Tuesday was traditionally the day when you would eat eating richer, fatty foods before you fast on Ash Wednesday. 

In New Orleans Mardi Gras has become more than that,  it has become a time to celebrate creativity and march in parades and exchange beads for a peak at women's breasts. As the Mardi Gras became larger and more commercial (and less accessible), splinter groups, called krewes, began pop up with themes and parades of their own. Enter, Chewbacchus, a sci-fi DIY themed krewe that plans on having a 10 foot flame-throwing, firework-shooting, MechaGodzilla.

Ok, I want one. 

Ars Technica has a great description of all of the Mardi Gras Mechagodzilla:

Chewbacchus’ 2014 theme is “Wrath of Kahn-ival,” and a shot-dispensing Barship Enterprise is being made accordingly. But as a tribute to traditional Mardi Gras flambeaus (kerosene flame carriers that walked with parades so crowds could see), the krewe is building a 10-foot, fire-breathing Mechagodzilla—Chewbacchus’ most ambitious centerpiece contraption yet.

Dreamed up with the help of a kaiju-themed sub-krewe, plans for Mechagodzilla call for firework outlets on its back, flame releases from its head and nose, and a mini New Orleans cityscape to terrorize on the front of its trailer. Ballard says the krewe worked closely with city and fire officials to meet all the necessary regulations, and they’ve programmed this set piece to be Arduino controlled with a killswitch enabled through radio frequencies.

SRC: Ars Technica

Below is a 3D digital model that helped with the planning and construction of the  Mechagodzilla followed by a video that was used to fundraise. If you are in New Orleans you can see the Mechagodzilla tonight (Feb 22nd).

3d model to plan the flame-throwing Mardi Gras Mechagodzilla

Godzilla is HUGE in New Godzilla 2014 Poster

This New Godzilla 2014 Poster Make G Look Bigger Than Ever
(Click poster to see full screen)

It could be that the Gareth Edwards' Godzilla 2014 version will be the biggest yet. Larger and larger Godzillas is definitely the trend. If this trend keeps up, he will be able to devour planets in a single chomp. 

Check out a couple of info graphics below that illustrate the "growing" trend of Godzilla through the years.

This is a great info graphic that shows Godzilla's growth  through the years (click picture to enlarge)

Below is an even niftier graphic that shows Godzilla size from movie-to-movie.

Click the image above to enlarge

Ultraman Kaiju Transformed into Fashion Models

Does Dada were Prada?

In an effort to celebrate the "Ultra" renovation of the Amu Plaza Hakata shopping center, Ultraman characters were recruited and dressed in high-fashion.

Check out each of the characters below followed by a few short advertising clips.

Accessorize with a purse

Thanks to Brian Ashcraft bringing this to our attention at Japanese Kaiju Turned into Fashion Models

New 60th Anniversary Godzilla Restoration Poster and Trailer

New poster for the 60th Anniversary Restoration of the original uncut Japanese version of Godzilla

Yesterday we announced the news that the Original Uncut Godzilla is Coming to a Theatre Near You. This is all possible thanks to Rialto Pictures. The restored uncut original Japanese version of Godzilla will screen at  select theaters in America nationwide.

Today we can share more news about this 60th Anniversary restoration. There is a new poster and a new trailer commemorating the new restoration. Check out the trailer below followed by the hi-res poster, followed by dates and links to the event near you!

Hi-Res poster click the poster to enlarge

DATES & THEATERS FOR THE 60th ANNIVERSARY RESTORED ORIGINAL GODZILLA

Rialto Pictures is once again rolling out the uncut Japanese version of the original GODZILLA, boasting a 60th Anniversary DCP (Digital Cinema Package) Restoration, and is now being booked in theaters around the US of A — contact your local cinema to screen it! Now, here's a quick look at the first dates (as of Monday, February 17, 2014):

:: March 11: AUSTIN, TX • Alamo Ritz 1 (SXSW Film Festival)

:: April 18 – 24: NEW YORK, NY • Film Forum

:: April 25 – May 1: SANTA FE, NM • Jean Cocteau Cinema

:: May 2 – 5: PORTLAND, OR • Hollywood Theatre 

:: May 2 – 8: SEATTLE, WA SIFF • Cinema Uptown

:: May 13 - 14: ALAMEDA, CA • Alameda Theater & Cineplex

:: May 23 – 26 HOUSTON, TX • The Museum of Fine Arts

:: May 28: LEXINGTON, KY • Kentucky Theatre

:: July 17: COLUMBUS, OH • Wexner Center for the Arts

Original Uncut Godzilla Coming to a Theatre Near You

The original uncut version of Godzilla coming to a theater near you

Thanks to August Ragone, author of  Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters, for posting this on the Everything Kaiju Facebook Page.

Rialto Pictures is once again rolling out the uncut Japanese version of the original GODZILLA, boasting a 60th Anniversary DCP (Digital Cinema Package) Restoration, and is now being booked in theaters around the US of A — contact your local cinema to screen it! Now, here's a quick look at the first dates (as of Monday, February 17, 2014):

:: March 11: AUSTIN, TX • Alamo Ritz 1 (SXSW Film Festival)

:: April 18 – 24: NEW YORK, NY • Film Forum

:: April 25 – May 1: SANTA FE, NM • Jean Cocteau Cinema

:: May 2 – 5: PORTLAND, OR • Hollywood Theatre 

:: May 2 – 8: SEATTLE, WA SIFF • Cinema Uptown

:: May 13 - 14: ALAMEDA, CA • Alameda Theater & Cineplex

:: May 23 – 26 HOUSTON, TX • The Museum of Fine Arts

:: May 28: LEXINGTON, KY • Kentucky Theatre

:: July 17: COLUMBUS, OH • Wexner Center for the Arts

Stay tuned for more dates... And tell your local theaters that the film is available, as well as the new, paperback edition of my book, EIJI TSUBURAYA: MASTER OF MONSTERS will be out on April 8th from Chronicle Books — and I'm available to introduce the screenings (with a visual presentation on the making of the film)!

This news originated from a post titled, "THE REAL "GODZILLA" IS COMING TO YOUR TOWN: US Theatrical Screenings for the Big G's 60th!" from the website The Good, The Bad, and Godzilla, managed by August Ragone. 

Warner Bros Blocks Godzilla 2014 Toy Fair Images from Photographers

Warner Bros wants to make sure no photographs of the Godzilla 2014 Toys are available 

While we were able to get some photos from the 2014 Toy fair, no toys linked to the upcoming Godzilla 2014 have been available. Prior to the Toy Fair Warner Bros announced, "For the classic monster property that is ready to get a fiery breath of new life May 16, WBCP has tapped Bandai America for a line up of toys. Other licensees on board include Jakks Pacific for large-scale figures and toy products inspired by the “King of Monsters,” NECA for novelty and collector toys and Sideshow Collectibles for authentic statues."

Despite the official announcement, none of these images are allowed to be photographed due to an embargo placed by the studio.

The embargo was confirmed by a representatinve of NECA to CosmicBookNews.com. Read an excerpt below.

Well, it's day two of the NY Toy Fair and still no Godzilla movie figures and toys have hit the net.

That's because photographs of the Godzilla Toy Fair products are not allowed.

A rep for NECA got back to me and stated they are not showing any of the Godzilla items in the public viewing area as the images and products are under embargo until Mid-March.

Read full article: Godzilla 2014 Products On Lock Down At Toy Fair: Under Studio Embargo

New Godzilla Toy Pics from 2014 Toy Fair Sunday Feb 16th

Diamond Select Toys' Display for Godzilla Toys

More Godzilla Toys from Diamond Select Toys' 2014 Toy fair Display

Thank you to toy nerd Carrie Rocknroll for sending these through her Twitter account @EvilVagenda! please show some appreciation and follow her on Twitter. She has an excellent Twitter feed and is basically live tweeting pics from the 2014 Toy Fair. 

If we get more Pics we will post them here and on the Everything Kaiju Faccebook Page

Godzilla 2014 Toy Updates From the Toy Fair

Artist Rendition of Jakks Pacific Godzilla Toy

The illustration above hopefully looks familiar enough to the leaked photo that was going around of the 43 inch Godzilla toy with 12 points of articulation (at least 2 of those points are in the tail.)

We have reached out to a few people to get some photos of the Godzilla 2014 toys at the American International Toy Fair. Cross your fingers. If you happen to be there send photos to EverythingKaiju@Gmail.com. 

Below are two reports from independent sources talking about the Warner Brothers licensees for Godzilla 2014 Toys. 

FROM LICENCE MAG

Warner Bros. Consumer Products has unveiled a monstrous collection of products for its forthcoming film Godzilla on the American International Toy Fair show floor, which is in full swing now in New York City.

For the classic monster property that is ready to get a fiery breath of new life May 16, WBCP has tapped Bandai America for a line up of toys. Other licensees on board include Jakks Pacific for large-scale figures and toy products inspired by the “King of Monsters,” NECA for novelty and collector toys and Sideshow Collectibles for authentic statues.

SRC: LicenseMag.com

FROM THE TOY BOOK 

Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) enters this year’s American International Toy Fair with an extensive lineup of global licensees in support of its entertainment properties, milestone anniversaries, and upcoming theatrical releases.

Bandai America Inc. and Jakks Pacific Inc. will each support Godzilla, from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, with new toy lines. Jakks’ line of Godzilla products will include an Ultimate Large Scale Godzilla Figure with 12 points of articulation and a length of over 43 inches, making it one of the largest toys in Godzilla history. Other worldwide partners include Rubie’s Costume Co., NECA, and Sideshow Collectibles.

SRC: The Toy Book

Thanks to the Folks at Toyark for sending this link for photos from Tamashii Nations SH Monsterarts Godzilla display.

Tamashii Nations Mothra, Godzilla, MechaGodzilla (Photo: TOYARK.com)

The King Himself (Photo: TOYARK.com)

Gigan Center Stage (Photo: TOYARK.com)

Click the following link to check out the rest of the Tamashii Nations's Godzilla Display from the 2014 Toy Fair. Thanks again for the folks at TOYARK.com for the heads up. Go to News.Toyark.com for some of the best 2014 Toy Fair coverage.

Journalist Admits He was Wrong About Godzilla's Box Office Chances

Which Film will Dominate 2014? Godzilla or Captain America?

Motley Fool stock picker Tim Beyers was sure that Godzilla was going to be a dud, at least compared to Captain America: Winter Soldier. In fact he went "all in" saying that Captain America was going to crush all the Summer Blockbusters.

Recently, like any good analyst, he has revised his opinion based on new data. Mostly the IGN poll which asked fans, "Which movie are you most excited for in 2014?" Guess which movie won by a longshot? Yep--Godzilla. He also looked at other factors such as YouTube views and web metrics based on mention and general chatter. You can read a portion of his revised article below followed by a video of his full explanation.

In early January, entertainment site IGN published a poll in which Godzilla ranked as the sci-fi movie fans were most excited to see in 2014. Christopher Nolan's Interstellar ranked second at just over 20%. By contrast, among comic book films, Tim's top pick -- Walt Disney's (NYSE: DIS  ) Captain America: The Winter Soldier -- ranked a distant fourth at 13.9% of the vote, trailing The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (14.3%), Guardians of the Galaxy (18.7%), and X-Men: Days of Future Past (35.2%).

What's more, recent Google Trends data shows that Godzilla, co-produced by Legendary Pictures and Time Warner (NYSE: TWX  ) , has enjoyed impressive search volume in the days following a new trailer or other news event. And yet, between the two, Tim still believes the Winter Soldier has an edge.

Why? He cites two reasons. First, a new trailer for the movie has been viewed more than 13 million times in less than two weeks -- a stunning number when you consider that a preview for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 has earned less than 4 million views over the same period.

Second, with an early April release date, the new Captain America gets a month in theaters before the next round of would-be comic book and sci-fi blockbusters reach audiences. The extra space should give the film time to generate momentum, Tim argues, a luxury Godzilla won't have when it launches between the debuts of Spider-Man and Days of Future Past.

#Bailey4Godzilla Official Correspondent of Godzilla

Everything Kaiju's contribution to the #Bailey4Godzilla campaign

"Legendary actually contacted me the other day and said they are aware of the campaign and they were putting together ideas as to how the could use me." --Benjamin H. Bailey, self-appointed correspondent to Godzilla

It's kind of like a dream come true. You watch Godzilla movies as a kid, grow up and work for a comicbook company that makes Godzilla comics, and then start a viral, and effective, social media campaign to be the self-appointed "Official Correspondent of Godzilla". Thus is the story to-date for a very deserving Benjamin Bailey.

ComicBook.com recently caught up with Mr. Bailey and interviewed him on the success of his viral campaign to be the Official Correspondent of Godzilla. Read the interview below, followed by a link to the full interview at ComicBook.com.

Adam P. Knave: What is it about Godzilla that makes you love him?
Benjamin H. Bailey: I had a big dinosaur obsession growing up. Every Saturday night, there was a show on the local cable station called “Godzilla Theater.” Basically, they’d play old Godzilla flicks and show some trivia and commentary before commercial breaks. It was on at like midnight, so my parents would tape it and, on rare occasions, let me stay up to watch it. In a pre-Jurassic Park era, Godzilla perfectly scratched my dinosaur itch. I just thought those films were so magical, they had everything I wanted, action, destruction and giant monsters duking it out.
Ever since then, the King of Monsters has had a special place in my heart. At his best, he’s a force of nature. Great Godzilla films are basically disaster stories. Stories of survival. They aren’t about defeating Godzilla, ’cause everyone knows you can’t do that. They are about surviving him, and there is something really compelling about that.

APK: Why this movie, right now?
Bailey: We haven’t had a new Godzilla film in along time. The last one, Final Wars, was in like 2004. Plus, I think we can all agree that America didn’t exactly do right by the character last time. So far, the stuff they have shown looks amazing, so as a Godzilla fan it’s hard to not be excited. Great cast, promising director and a big budget, this looks like Godzilla done right. They seem, at least so far, to capture that disaster element. The previous American version tried to make Godzilla a straight up action flick and it didn’t work.

APK: What would you consider your duties as Official Correspondent to be?
Bailey: Ideally, I want to be a part of the viral marketing process. Contests, trivia, videos, anything I can present, share and promote in some official capacity. I’d also love to go to the premiere, maybe do some interviews with the cast. Basically, I want to help lead Team Godzilla. Help spread the word in some ridiculous official capacity.

APK: What qualifies you above all others for this?
Bailey: Well, I’m the only one campaigning for the job. Look, I’m very aware that this is just some title I made up and started spreading around. I had the idea that it’d be fun to call myself the Official Correspondent of Godzilla, which made me think I should probably ask Legendary (the films production company) to give me their blessing. This just started as a goofy, fun idea, but Legendary actually contacted me the other day and said they are aware of the campaign and
they were putting together ideas as to how the could use me.
Really, what it comes down to, is I love Godzilla and I clean up real nice. Put me in a suit, Legendary.

APK: In the ever-changing world of social media, interacting with traditional media, is this sort of outreach by fans to media companies, something you see as a growing trend?
Bailey: It’s crazy the reach social media has. This started out as a bit of fun that grew into a massive film production company contacting me. It’s insane. I think as long as people are since about it, this trend will grow. I’m not making fun of Godzilla, I love the property and I want to be a part of it. That was part of the reason that Legendary said they reached out to me, they could see my genuine enthusiasm. It’s a fine line, for sure, but I think media companies reacting directly with their fans is a very good thing.

APK : Is there a problem giving your work for free to, say, Legendary, as in will it contribute to a thought process that we don’t need to pay for PR/writers/etc?
Bailey: I don’t think stuff I’m doing is in anyway a replace for general PR. I mean, I’m not putting anybody out of job because the job I’m campaigning for doesn't really exist. Really, it’s just putting fans to work spreading their love of a project, and that is something companies have been doing for a very long time. Social media allows for that, with the “Like us on Facebook” or “Retweet and Follow!” I think what I’m attempting is similar to that, only dumber. I’m aware of how ridiculous it is and I embrace it.

APK: What would Godzilla think of you working for him?
Bailey: There’s this scene in the comic series Half-Century War where the books lead character, who has been trying to stop Godzilla for 50 years, tries to get the giant to just look at him. He just wants Godzilla to acknowledge he exists, to know that he has struggled his whole life against him. Godzilla doesn’t even look in his direction, can’t even see him. That’s me, only I’m supporting the big guy. Godzilla doesn't need support, he’d just step on me, a fate I willing accept.

APK: Who is the best enemy Godzilla has?
Bailey: Roland Emmerich.

A little more about Mr. Bailey's upcoming projects at Comicbook.com's post, "Captain Ultimate Co-Writer Benjamin H. Bailey Wants To Help Lead Team Godzilla"

Godzilla: The Art of Destruction, the Godzilla 2014 "Making of" Book Due this May

Cover art for  Godzilla: The Art of Destruction, a "making of" book about Godzilla 2014

"Author Mark Cotta Vaz goes in-depth with production art and cast interviews from the upcoming return of the world's most iconic monster." --MovieWeb.com

This "making of" book about the new Legendary Godzilla 2014 movie is due for release this May. It will include concept illustrations, sketches, storyboards, and other pre-production materials. 

The book was announced on MovieWeb.com today and the headline says the book arrives this Summer. According to Amazon.com it will be available as soon as May 13, 2014. 

This will be done by the same folks who put together the awesome Pacific Rim book (Pacific Rim: Man, Machines, and Monsters), so this should be pretty amazing--but, of course, we had you at Godzilla. 

Read the Amazon description below followed by a link to the announcement on MovieWeb.com

Published to coincide with the release of Warner Bros. and Legendary’s Godzilla, directed by Gareth Edwards, this visually stunning book presents an extraordinary new vision for the beloved character through a dynamic selection of concept illustrations, sketches, storyboards, and other pre-production materials. Godzilla: The Art of Destruction is the definitive book on one of the most anticipated films of 2014. Featuring interviews with the director and key crew and cast members, the book tells the complete story of the making of Godzilla from concept to final frames. Comprehensive and enthralling, Godzilla: The Art of Destruction is a book that no fan will want to be without.

Godzilla is a trademark of Toho Co., Ltd. The Godzilla character and design are trademarks of and copyrighted by Toho Co., Ltd.  Used with permission. All Rights Reserved.  © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

MovieWeb: Godzilla: The Art of Destruction Book Arrives This Summer

DigitalTrends: Godzilla, The Last 60 Years

No army can stop Godzilla

“If Godzilla had been a dinosaur or some other animal, he would have been killed by just one cannonball. But if he were equal to an atomic bomb, we wouldn't know what to do. So, I took the characteristics of an atomic bomb and applied them to Godzilla.” --Ishiro Honda, Director of the original Godzilla

Digital Trends has a nice review of the Godzilla's previous 60 years. Below is a short excerpt that speculates about Godzilla 2014 with a few quotes from Legendary's Godzilla director, Gareth edwards.

Truthfully, very little is known at this point about Edwards’ upcoming adventure that brings Godzilla back to the big screen after ten years – and that’s the way the filmmaker prefers it.

What we do know, however, is that the film will offer up a new origin story for Godzilla, who will once again play the role of a force of nature far beyond humanity’s control. Legendary Pictures’ official synopsis for the film indicates that Godzilla won’t be the only monster in the film, either. According to the studio, Godzilla will be pitted against “malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity’s scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence.”

“We’ve taken it very seriously and the theme is man versus nature and Godzilla is certainly the nature side of it,” said Edwards in a July 2013 interview. “You can’t win that fight. Nature’s always going to win and that’s what the subtext of our movie is about. He’s the punishment we deserve.”

Read more: Looking back on 60 years of Godzilla before he tears down the city again in 2014
Follow us: @digitaltrends on Twitter | digitaltrendsftw on Facebook

King Kong vs. Godzilla and King Kong Escapes will be Released on Blu-ray

Universal will release King Kong vs. Godzilla and King Kong Escapes on Blu-ray 

There seems to be many side benefits to the Warner Brothers release of Legendary's Godzilla 2014. As we mentioned earlier, three classic Godzilla movies will be released on blu-ray this summer; Smog Monster, the Sea Monster Ebira, and Gigan.

Looks like universal Studios is following suit and we won't even have to wait as long as the other three classics we mentioned earlier. According to Scifi Japan, "Universal Studios Home Entertainment will release their two Toho King Kong films — KING KONG VS GODZILLA and KING KONG ESCAPES — on Blu-ray on April 1st, 2014."

Also included in the SciFi Japan article is a brief history of hoe these two movies got made. Read an excerpt below followed by the cover art for the new blu-rays to be released.

Rather than being initiated by Toho, development of KING KONG VS GODZILLA began as “King Kong vs Frankenstein”, a proposed sequel to the original KING KONG by that film’s FX director, Willis O’Brien. With the permission of RKO Pictures (the studio that made KONG), producer John Beck revised and shopped O’Brien’s concept to studios in the United States and abroad, including Toho. The Japanese studio was enthusiastic at the prospect of making a King Kong movie, and also saw the project as the perfect vehicle to bring their own Godzilla back to the big screen. Licensing the King Kong character rights from RKO, Toho made a deal with John Beck that split ownership of the film… Toho would own the rights in Japan, Asia and select other territories, while Beck would own the rights in North America and select other countries. The agreement was made in perpetuity, meaning that both parties would permanently own their shares of the film rights.

Toho released KING KONG VS GODZILLA in Japan on August 11, 1962. Shortly thereafter, John Beck began offering the film to US studios. In April 1963, he sold his rights to the movie to Universal. With Toho controlling all rights in Asia, Universal had no use for a Japanese language film so they had Beck create an edited, English dubbed version of KING KONG VS GODZILLA before delivering the film to the studio. John Beck completed the assignment and Universal released the film June 26, 1963.KING KONG ESCAPES was produced under similar circumstances.

Read whole article at ScifiJapan.com

Cover art for King Kong vs Godzilla Blu-ray (click image to enlarge)

Cover art for King Kong Escapes Blu-ray (click image to enlarge)

Kaiju Kaos Is Almost Funded, 4 days Left, Let's Fund It!!!

Any or ALL of these mini-figures could be yours if you help fund this Kickstarter Campaign

Great sculpts, amazing incentives and only a few bucks to go! What are you waiting for? Go to Kaiju Kaos' Kickstarter Page for more details and drop a few bucks.

Every supporter of this project will be able to choose exactly which characters you want from “The Twelve” shown in the video and detailed below. Designs can be chosen in any combination from 1 of each to an army of 12 of the same sculpt, or something in-between. You decide!

Check out the great incentives for helping fund this campaign at Kaiju Kaos: Smackdown Kickstarter Page

Kaiju May Replace Zombies as the Next Gaming Genre

Screen shot from upcoming game adaptation for anime hit, "Attack on Titans"

Many apologies for the delay in posts! I was ill, in bed, for more days than I want to admit. I'm on the mend and decided to tackle kaiju in video games, specifically the non-combat, kaiju vs. kaiju, style games. We start with an article by The New Hampshire published earlier today.

The New Hampshire a paper that serves the the University of New Hampshire predicted or suggests that the next trend, replacing zombies, in gaming could be (or should be) kaiju. Read an excerpt from The New Hapshire's article, "A look at the next gaming craze" written by Joel Kost:

I like zombie games as much as the next person, but after almost a decade of brains, guts, and gore, I’m ready for a change of pace. Let’s see a new genre for a new generation of consoles. Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo promised big changes and new games with their next-gen. hardware, and so far all three haven’t really lived up to the ‘new’ games part. It may seem a bit random, but I think the gaming world is ready for a kaiju genre.

Mr. Kost continues to root for kaiju praising the success of the genre in the movies and mentions a few of the previous fighting style games.

The kaiju film genre has proven to be incredibly resilient, surviving for over 50 years with countless entries, but it’s often overlooked in the gaming world. That’s a shame, because the few kaiju games we have seen give us a glimpse of a robust genre with many styles of gameplay.

The recent adventure game “Attack of the Friday Monsters” for the 3DS shows us what a light-hearted kaiju game could look like, placing the player in the shoes of a young boy enthralled by the giant monsters. “Colossatron,” another recent game for mobile devices, is about a giant, robotic beast destroying city after city with intense puzzle mechanics. And let’s not forget the PS2 fighting classic, “War of the Monsters,” which gives the player a whole roster of kaiju to fight and play as (there are also many “Godzilla” games that mimic this style of gameplay). 

Mr. Kost seems to lament in the last paragraph, "I wish I could give more examples of how kaiju games could be a success, but the fact is there really aren’t any." We disagree. Although you won't get any argument from us regarding the validity of kaiju games as a genre, there are some great successes outside the fighting-style of kaiju games.

First up: Shadow of the Colossus (2005)
This innovative title was far ahead of it's time, in tech and game design, the enemies were so big you could get lost in the architecture of each creature while it was moving! The scale was so realistic at points you felt you were climbing an organic building as it was flying through the sky. Each colossus at the end of each level got larger and larger. back then it was rare to have the entire environment move independently as you tried to climb it and kill it! Check out the first boss below:



Second Up: Attack on Titan (2014)
This is based on the popular anime and manga with the same title. The gist of the story is human-like kaiju have invaded the planet and humans have found a way to defend themselves against them. They use big walls around the city and have these grappling hooks on their wist that allow them to climb and incredible speeds. When the Titans get too close they kill them. Even in the simple networked game, it allows for all dsorts of cool game play. The video below splices some of the anime scenes in the beginning to give you a taste for what the anime is like.



Here's a 3DS game based on the same title, which shows how having a kaiju in game play totally changes the dynamics of a game.



If you have any kaiju games that you think have gone unnoticed and worth mentioning let us know in the comments below or on our facebook page fb.com/EverythingKaiju.