With the Japanese release date fast approaching, Godzilla creators Toho have released a series of new stills in anticipation for the project.
The new stills came via the official Toho X account, featuring images of the leading cast seemingly reacting to Godzilla’s appearance within the movie as he destroys the city. We were also treated with images featuring the aftermath of Godzilla’s destruction alongside stills of the leading monster himself as he actively lays waste to the city. Alongside the new images was a full body photo for the monster design of Godzilla, featuring jagged dorsal fins and a destructive tail that could level buildings.
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| Godzilla is seen chomping on a train in the new stills |
While many images provided were present in the trailer, a new photo included an image of Godzilla biting down on a train car, a call back to the original 1954 Godzilla film that had him attacking one in the same way. Both the 1984 The Return of Godzilla and 2000’s Godzilla 2000: Millennium featured similar scenes, with each serving as a reboot for the franchise at the time of release.
Godzilla previously attacked at train in his original 1954 debut
Godzilla Minus One is a set to release in Japan on November third with a wider release date set for December first. The film is in line to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Godzilla as a franchise, with director Takashi Yamazaki stepping in to helm the project following the release of his 2019 naval war feature The Great War of Archimedes.
The story of Minus One features the beast attacking a post-war Japan as they try to rebuild. Toho International President Koji Ueda said: “Japan, which had already been devastated by the war, faces a new threat with Godzilla, bringing the country into the ‘minus.’”
People run from Godzilla as he steps toward
With the trailer
releasing just over a week prior, fans have already begun to
celebrate the smaller scale of Godzilla. The new size of our walking
nuclear reactor allows for more intimate shots close to the ground as people
run to get out from under his feet.
Director Takashi
Yamazaki said on the project: "Postwar Japan has lost
everything. The film depicts an existence that gives unprecedented
despair. The title Godzilla Minus One was created with this in
mind. In order to depict this, the staff and I have worked together
to create a setting where Godzilla looks as if "fear"
itself is walking toward us, and where despair is piled on top of
despair. I think this is the culmination of all the films I have made
to date, and one that deserves to be "experienced" rather
than "watched" in the theater. I hope you will experience
the most terrifying Godzilla in the best possible environment."
Godzilla approaches as Noriko Oishi (played by Minami Hamabe) watches
Godzilla Minus One
will be the first Toho feature for the monster since Hideaki Anno’s
2016 Shin Godzilla. While Legendary Pictures have been treating fans
to their English language connected Godzilla/King Kong universe, Toho
had been unable to make a Godzilla film until after 2020 due to the
contract signed with Legendary forbidding them from releasing any
Godzilla features within the same year.
