"Godzilla vs. Kong" Actress Kaylee Hottle Killed In Car Accident

Sad and shocking news in the world of Godzilla hit this morning.

Actress Kaylee Hottle was killed this morning due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Maryland.

According to TMZ:

Kaylee Hottle was riding in a 1995 Honda Accord when the driver veered off a Maryland road and slammed into a roadside ditch early Tuesday ... with excessive speed believed to be a factor ... TMZ has learned.

Authorities in Maryland say Kaylee -- the "Godzilla vs. Kong" actress -- was rushed to a trauma center, where she was later pronounced dead.

She was 18.

She played the deaf Skull Island native girl Jia who communicated with Kong by sign language in "Godzilla vs. Kong" and its follow-up. 

Condolences go out to her family and friends.

To read more, go here.

A Little Godzilla History In Memory Lane

The above photo taken at the Rainforest Cafe in the Chicago area after G-FEST XII (2005) shows a group of us including (from left) yours truly, Stan Hyde, Yoshikazu Ishii, Ruth Lees, J. D. Lees, Yoshimitsu Banno and Robert Scott Field. 

The photo popped up in the Memories gizmo of Facebook yesterday. It prompted a comment by Field on the significance of it.

He wrote:

Great picture. In 2000 Banno asked me to help him connect to Hollywood for a 4D version of Hedorah. No one was interested in Hedorah but in 2005 we talked again for a couple of hours about getting the rights to Godzilla and before and after this picture of the dinner at the Rain Forest in Chicago was taken. I'm guessing that no one knew (including us lol) that this is where the turning point of the Legendary G-franchise actually began… And now history!!! It’s a beautiful thing!!!

Above, director Yoshimitsu Banno addresses the 2004 G-TOUR group in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The very first time we met Yoshimitsu Banno was at the T.G.I. Fridays dinner (above photo) in Roppongi, Tokyo of the first G-TOUR in 2004. He spoke to the group and dropped strong hints about his plans for a Hedorah movie in 3D.

He was later invited to G-FEST XII in 2005. Sadly, he passed away at age 86 in 2017.

Godzilla and Kong Unite Against SpaceGodzilla

Above, the SpaceGodzilla from Toho's 1994 Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla. Photo by Toho Co., Ltd.

The next entry in Legendary's Godzilla franchise, Godzilla x Kong: Supernova had a test screening on February 9.

As such, it has been revealed that the main villain in the movie will be SpaceGodzilla. 

According to Maxblizz:

The test screening for Godzilla x Kong: Supernova was reportedly held on February 9, 2026. It is reported that reactions after the screening are mostly positive, with some negative responses.

It is confirmed that SpaceGodzilla is the main villain in the movie. The character is described as being pretty recognizable compared to the original design.

Godzilla is the main focus of the film and has the most screen time, but Kong still has more screen time compared to Godzilla’s role in 2024’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.

SpaceGodzilla is created by a greater threat, which is teased at the end of the film. Despite that, SpaceGodzilla still has his own free will and is not controlled by it.

To read more, go here.

"Godzilla Minus Zero" Opens November 6

Above, the teaser poster for Godzilla Minus Zero.

Two Godzilla movies are on the horizon. One from the U.S. (Legendary Pictures) will arrive in 2027 and one from Japan (Toho Co., Ltd.) this year.

The Legendary Pictures feature is titled, Godzilla x Kong: Supernova and the Toho feature is titled, Godzilla Minus Zero.

According to Variety:

“Godzilla Minus Zero,” the upcoming sequel to the successful “Godzilla Minus One,” will open in North America on Nov. 6 from Toho and GKids. The release comes just three days after the Japanese release, which Toho says is a rare near-simultaneous bow for a Japan-produced Godzilla movie.

The Nov. 3 Japanese release marks the same day the original “Godzilla” opened in theaters in 1954, now observed as Godzilla Day. “Godzilla Minus One” also opened Nov. 3 in Japan in 2023, going on to become the highest-grossing Japan-produced Godzilla film and winning the Oscar for visual effects.

To read more, go here. 

Godzilla's Legendary Comeback

Above, the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios in Setagaya. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is remarkable that Godzilla is as popular, if not more so, than ever these days.

This can be attributed to the Legendary Pictures series of movies and of Toho's recent movies, one of which won an Academy Award for Best Special Effects.

MSN has posted an article on Godzilla's legendary (a pun?) comeback.

It begins with:

At one time, the Godzilla franchise seemed like outdated science fiction with limited future cinematic prospects. Not only did Legendary Pictures’ MonsterVerse change those perceptions, but Toho’s Godzilla Minus One proved the 50-meter-tall radioactive dinosaur could deliver an Oscar-worthy performance. Toho recently announced a sequel to Minus One, demonstrating that an “old, outdated” subgenre can still score big - a $116 million global gross on a $15 million budget - in international theaters. 

To read more, go here. 

The Convoluted Chronology of Godzilla

Above, the GMK Godzilla suit on display in Shibuya, Tokyo in 2001. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Godzilla franchise of movies by both Toho and Legendary Pictures are basically two (or more) different monsters.

Tokyo Weekender has posted an article on the "convoluted chronology" of Godzilla. 

Here's how they start it:

Godzilla is one of the oldest film franchises in the world. (But not the “longest-running.” That title is still claimed by Japan but it belongs to a series of softcore porn movies.) In 2024, the world celebrated 70 years of the King of the Monsters smashing buildings, fighting other kaiju, and embodying the horrors of nuclear weapons. One problem with that, though. Technically, the giant dinosaurian creatures from the 33 live-action Japanese Godzilla movies are not always the same giant dinosaurian creature, meaning that there isn’t one kaiju that’s been continuously appearing in cinemas for more than seven decades now. Confused? Let us explain.

 To read more, go here.

Toho Lays Out New Ground Rules For Future Godzilla Movies

Above, the 1954 Godzilla. Photo by Toho Co., Ltd.

Toho Co., Ltd., the parent company of Godzilla and related characters, enjoyed success this past year with their Godzilla Minus One and Legendary/Warner Bros. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. The success of these films guarantee that future Godzilla movies are ensured. 

This has prompted Toho to lay out some ground rules on future films.

TVovermind posted an article on these ground rules.

They start it with:

Toho’s beloved kaiju Godzilla has always been a cultural icon, both within Japan and internationally. However, recent revelations show the iconic beast might undergo significant changes in its future cinematic portrayals. According to industry sources, Toho has outlined new rules for Godzilla’s character that aim to reshape how the colossal figure is seen on screen.

"I really wanted to make sure that they were intertwined in a balanced way so that the human drama and whatever’s going on with Godzilla had the right balance."

Director Takashi Yamazaki emphasized the need for harmony between human drama and Godzilla’s storyline in ‘Godzilla Minus One’. This approach may have set a new tone.

To read what the ground rules are, go here. 

"Godzilla Minus One": Atomic Might and Fury

2023-24 turned out to be a great year for those of us Godzilla fans.

First came Godzilla Minus One from Toho Co., Ltd. of Japan last year. Then came Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire this year from Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. 

Although both movies feature Godzilla, they are as different as night and day. The Legendary Pictures Godzilla acts more like Gamera rather than the King of the Monsters from Japan.

That is the topic of an article from theSun out of Malaysia. It is an article well worth a good read.

They begin the article with:

THERE is a clear line drawn in the sand between Toho and Legendary Pictures’ Godzilla films.

Although they share the same genetic strain, they could not be further apart, like twin children separated at birth and fostered by two different families from starkly different socioeconomic backgrounds. This has never been clearer than Godzilla Minus One.

For Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros Pictures Monsterverse franchise, Godzilla is the hero. In the recent Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, the giant lizard teams up with his oversized monkey friend to save Earth.

On the other hand, Toho’s Godzilla Minus One features Godzilla as how Ishiro Honda conceived the creature in 1954’s Godzilla: an allegory for the nuclear bombs dropped on Japan, coalesced into a force of nature that will kill everyone and destroy everything in its ravenous path.

 To read the full article, go here.

"Godzilla x Kong" Coming To DVD/Blu-Ray May 14

Within the past six months, Godzilla fans were treated to two Godzilla movies.

First, came Godzilla Minus One from Toho Studios last December. It was a critical success and it garnered the King of the Monsters his first Academy Award for Best Special Effects.

Then came Godzilla x Kong from Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. To me, and many others, it was entertaining but it lacked interesting characters and plot. 

It has been announced that Godzilla x Kong will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray on May 14. No word has been given by Toho on when Godzilla Minus One will see a similar release even though it is already out in these formats in Japan. 

The Japanese discs have no English subtitles.

"Godzilla x Kong" Earns $80 Million

The Easter weekend opening of Godzilla x Kong left smiles on the faces of Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. The giant monster flick exceeded box office expectations.

According to the Los Angeles Times:

“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” smashed its box-office competition this weekend, soaring past expectations with estimated domestic ticket sales of $80 million and delivering the second best opening of the year, just behind another Warner Bros. and Legendary film, “Dune: Part Two.”

Premium formats such as Imax and Dolby Cinema made up 48% of the film’s business. The movie also made $114 in international markets, bringing its global weekend haul to $194 million, according to Warner Bros.

To read more, go here. 

"Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" Review

Above, at Red Rock 10 Theaters. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday afternoon, I went to Gallup to see Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire by Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. We had a full house in the auditorium.

Let me just start off to say that I found it entertaining. We're talking about a Legendary/Warners Godzilla movie, not Shakespeare. There are a few things that I see as flaws. To give any of them away would be spoilers. There was also some shark-jumping. 

The MonsterVerse movies all play like a Heisei Gamera movie, not a Godzilla movie.

It is amazing that Godzilla x Kong had a budget of $135 million. But the money did not show up on the big screen. I saw a number of not-so-good shots. They were on a par with Godzilla vs. Kong, quality-wise. With that amount of money spent and the number of special effects people working on it, it makes the special effects of Godzilla Minus One all the more remarkable, considering the movie cost Toho around $15 million to produce. It is no surprise to me why Godzilla Minus One got a special effects Oscar whereas none of the MonsterVerse movies ever did. I have the feeling Legendary/Warners wanted to rush out a movie.

Right now, Godzilla x Kong is around 60% at Rotten Tomatoes by the critics. It is around 93% by fans. At this same point, Godzilla Minus One was in the upper 90s by fans and the critics. 

Toho should use a paraphrase of Kentucky Fried Chicken's slogan: We do Godzilla right!

My grade: B+

Following the screening, I headed to Jerry's Cafe in Gallup for a great chile relleno/enchilada combo dinner. 

Considering we're to get another round of snow, I am glad to get out of the house to see a movie and go out to dinner.

"Godzilla x Kong" Today

Today is the official day that Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire opens in U.S. theaters, even though it was playing yesterday.

I will be going to the Red Rock 10 Theaters in Gallup today to see it. I'll likely have dinner in town after the movie.

I don't have high expectations for the movie, especially after Toho's great Godzilla Minus One. As long as I find the movie entertaining, I will be satisfied. 

Here's the second official trailer. 

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.

"Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" Official Trailer

Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. has released the official trailer for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.

Well, it appears there's a baby Kong in the picture (is there a Mrs. Kong?). 

The shot of Godzilla and Kong running towards the camera looks like the opening of the 1960s Batman television show. Someone already used that footage and added the Neal Hefti Batman theme.

Godzilla has pink dorsal spikes? Going woke? Egads!

The trailer:

The Monstrous History and Longevity of Godzilla

Above, Godzilla peers over a building in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As I mentioned in the last post, the media seems to be getting excited over the upcoming Godzilla Minus One from Toho Pictures.

Another article, this time from The Week, takes a look at the history and longevity of Godzilla. 

They begin it with:

Nearly 70 years later, the king of the monsters still reigns supreme. 

Godzilla will be stomping all over the big and small screen over the next few months as the United States and Japan expand separate franchises about the iconic creature. Between November and April, Godzilla will appear in two films and a TV series. At this point, the number of movies featuring the monster approaches 40. 

So how did Godzilla become so ubiquitous, and why does he continue to resonate? 

To read more, go here. 

 

Yahoo! Finance: Every Version of Godzilla

Above, Godzilla takes a walk through the National Diet Building in 1954. Toho Co., Ltd. photo.

The news media must be getting excited over the upcoming Godzilla Minus One from Toho Pictures of Japan.

Yahoo! Finance has posted an article of "every version" of Godzilla from 1954 to 2023.

They begin it with:

Godzilla isn’t just a monster movie icon, the king of all kaiju: he is a king of looks too. In the nearly seven decades he’s been stomping around the box office, Godzilla’s gone through more appearances than most cinematic legends ever could. From his earliest days to his smashup with Kong in Warner’s Westernized reboot, and now with the arrival of Godzilla Minus One here’s a trip through the Big G’s wardrobe history.

To read more, go here. 

G-FAN #139

Above, G-FAN #139.

G-FAN #139 arrived in the mailbox the other day.

It has a striking cover of the Heisei Godzilla, which happens to be one of my favorite Godzilla suit designs.

My little contribution to the issue is on the Niue Godzilla vs. Kong silver coins. Even though the coins were minted in 2021, it seems that many Godzilla fans were unaware they even existed (including me). I discovered and blogged about them late last year.

Above, the Niue Godzilla vs. Kong silver coins. Photo by Armand Vaquer

When I blogged about them, I received messages of thanks from people telling me that they were not even aware of them. One gal messaged me that thanks to my posting on Twitter, she was getting the coins for her boyfriend (or husband, I forgot which) for Christmas. 

Since I wrote the article (I only had the Godzilla coin at the time), I have since purchased the Kong silver coin at the National Money Show last month. They were licensed by Legendary Pictures.

Above, the Kong coin at the National Money Show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

G-FAN is available by subscription or at your favorite comic book shop. If you don't have a comic book shop that carries it, just Google G-FAN 139 and it'll take you to many who have online ordering.

On the Godzilla vs. Kong coins, JM Bullion carries them.

It will be interesting to see if Niue mints Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire coins once the movie is released.

"Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire"

Legendary Pictures has revealed the title to the next sequel in their Monsterverse in a teaser trailer.

According to the YouTube posting:

The Monsterverse continues. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, only in theaters, March 15, 2024. 

This latest entry in the Monsterverse franchise follows up the explosive showdown of Godzilla vs. Kong with an all-new cinematic adventure, pitting the almighty Kong and the fearsome Godzilla against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within our world, challenging their very existence – and our own. The epic new film will delve further into the histories of these Titans, their origins, and the mysteries of Skull Island and beyond, while uncovering the mythic battle that helped forge these extraordinary beings and tied them to humankind forever.

2021 Niue Godzilla Silver Coin

If one is a coin collector and a Godzilla/kaiju collector, there is at least one essential coin they should include in their collections.

That is a 1 troy ounce Godzilla $2.00 silver coin from the island nation of Niue. It is a licensed coin that commemorates Godzilla vs. Kong.

Today's silver price is at $22.46 per troy ounce.

According to Silver Gold Bull:

The 1 oz 2021 Niue Silver $2 Godzilla Coin is the perfect addition to your coin collection. With only 25,000 coins minted worldwide, this Godzilla vs. Kong collectible coin is a limited release that you do not want to miss. This silver coin celebrates the popular Godzilla vs. Kong film currently leading the box office during the pandemic.

The reverse features an officially licensed depiction of Godzilla, shown in profile, above the inscription “GODZILLA”.

The obverse features an officially licensed depiction of Godzilla vs. Kong in action around the Public Seal of Niue. Also included on the obverse are the coin’s year of issue, the unique legal tender value, the Legendary Pictures stamp and details of metal content, weight and purity.

The epic clash of Godzilla vs. Kong serves as the Godzilla franchise’s 36th film and King Kong’s 12th further assuring this coin’s collectible appeal.

There is also a King Kong silver coin.

I ordered a Godzilla coin the other day and it is expected to be delivered tomorrow.  

Legendary Entertainment Cuts Ties With Warner Bros.

It appears that the resolution of the public "spat" between Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures was short-lived.

Legendary has bolted from Warner Bros. and has signed up with Sony Pictures to distribute their films.

According to Variety:

Legendary Entertainment, the production company behind “Dune” and “Godzilla vs. Kong,” has cut ties with Warner Bros. and entered a multi-year worldwide film distribution partnership with Sony Pictures.

Under the new agreement, Sony will market and distribute Legendary’s upcoming theatrical motion picture titles. However, select existing projects at Legendary are exempt from the pact, meaning Warner Bros. Pictures is still backing “Dune: Part Two.” The sequel to 2021’s sci-fi adaptation “Dune” is currently in production and slated for release on Nov. 3, 2023.

In a press release, Sony Pictures and Legendary emphasized that the companies are aligned in their “ongoing commitment to theatrical distribution as a driver for other ‘downstream’ windows and the theatrical window’s long-term value for films.”  

That sentiment may be a not-so-subtle nod to Legendary’s public spat with Warner Bros. in late 2020. At the time, the production company threatened to take legal action over Warners.’ decision to send all of its 2021 movies — including the Legendary-backed “Godzilla vs. Kong” and “Dune” — to HBO Max on the same day they debut in theaters. However, the two companies hashed out frustrations (for the moment) and found an agreement that satisfied both parties. Moreover, “Godzilla vs. Kong” grossed $470 million globally and “Dune” generated $401 million worldwide, making each of them pandemic-era box office hits despite playing day-and date on streaming.

To read more, go here.