How Banno's Scrapped Godzilla Film Led To Legendary's Monsterverse

Above, Yoshimitsu Banno disclosing his plans for a Godzilla movie
 in 3D and IMAX to G-TOUR in Roppongi. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is hard to believe that this year marks 20 years since the first G-TOUR to Japan by Daikaiju Enterprises, Ltd. (of G-FAN magazine fame) took place in 2004. I was a part of the 60-person tour group.

While the tour was in Tokyo, a dinner was held in the Roppongi section of the city at T.G.I. Friday's. One of the guests at the dinner was Godzilla vs. Hedorah director Yoshimitsu Banno.

Banno gave a talk and divulged that he was planning on making a Godzilla movie in IMAX and 3D. A working title was Godzilla 3D To The Max. This was the first news that Godzilla fandom received of this project. Some got very excited of the prospect of a 3D and IMAX movie while others dismissed it (largely for fandom political reasons).

The movie never got off the ground, but it did lead eventually to Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. Monsterverse series of movies with Banno as one of the executive producers. 

Slash Film has posted an article one how the scrapped IMAX Godzilla short led to the Monsterverse.

It begins with:

Much like any other long-running franchise, "Godzilla" is filled with a great many would-be projects that never managed to see the light of day. Perhaps no scrapped project featuring the King of the Monsters is more consequential than what is most commonly known as "Godzilla 3-D." The film, which was in development in the early 2000s, was going to be a short filmed for IMAX made with American audiences in mind. It never came to be, but development of the project indirectly led to the creation of the MonsterVerse franchise, which kicked off with 2014's "Godzilla" and is still going strong today.

So, how do we go from theatrically-released short film to blockbuster-sized, American-produced theatrical feature? It's an odd, messy journey, and one that is a little heartbreaking in some ways for both fans and one of the franchise's most unique directors. Namely, Yoshimitsu Banno, who helmed 1971's "Godzilla vs. Hedorah," which remains one of the franchise's most bizarre entries to date, yet also one of its most celebrated. The story of this big-budget short film begins with Banno and his desire to once again step behind the camera to tell a tale about Godzilla and the Smog Monster.

To read the full article, go here.

Hedorah Slimes Into Shibuya For 50th Anniversary

Above, a Hedorah Bandai figure I bought in Japan in 2006. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971) (a.k.a. Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster (1972 in the U.S.)) is being celebrated this month. 

What's the celebration? 

It is the 50th Anniversary of the movie's release by Toho Co., Ltd.

According to Stars & Stripes Japan:

Parco Shibuya Gallery X in cooperation with Toho Co., Ltd. salutes the 50th anniversary of Hedorah aka the Smog Monster from Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971) during an art installation in Shibuya, Tokyo until November 23. Gallery X and multiple artisans have come together to champion the repulsive, often loathed, but extremely popular kaiju from the Godzilla film series.

Tune into fascinating, satirical, dark, anti-pollution themes at this psychedelic tribute happening in fashionable Shibuya. Take a trip to the basement floor and see pieces by chandelier artist, Kim Songhe, videographer, Akiko Nakayama, designers, Keiji Ito and Coin Parking Delivery and their collaborations with Marusan Toys. Also, on display are one hundred set photos, and screen-used props and diorama from the brief Hedorah sequence from Godzilla: Final Wars (2004), directed by Ryuhei Kitamura.

The 50-year old Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster, directed by Yoshimitsu Banno (1931-2017) was released to U.S. matinee houses in 1972, polarizing fans for decades, but has slithered back with a degree of fresh wind, as new Godzilla generations discover the avant-garde entry.  Banno, despite his multimedia, over the top approach was chastised by producer, Tomoyuki Tanaka upon the Japanese release.  

Banno, however continually stoking creative fires, became a film format visionary, and ultimately rose to producer on Legendary Pictures’ Godzilla films before his passing.

Above, Godzilla vs. Hedorah director Yoshimitsu Banno (second from right) at the Rainforest Cafe in 2005. 

Too bad we can't go to Japan to see the exhibit since there's a tourism freeze there due to the pandemic.

At least the article has some photos to look at.

To read more, go here.