RYAN DAO WRITES — After a long 12-year hiatus, the legendary king of monsters makes his triumphant return of the silver screen with “Shin Godzilla” (“Shin Gojira,” or internationally known as “Godzilla Resurgence”), a modern-take on a classic Japanese icon.
“Shin Godzilla” is the 29th installment in the Godzilla franchise and is co-directed by Hideaki Anno and Shinji Higuchi, both also serving as the chief writer and visual effects director respectively. The film earned roughly $6.08 million during its opening weekend in Japan, nearly half the amount that the previous Japanese installment, “Godzilla: Final Wars,” earned throughout its entire run in 2004.
“Shin Godzilla” is currently one of the most successful movies of the year in Japan, opening on 441 screens and topping the Japanese box office for two straight weeks.
Due to its blockbuster success in Japan, viewers are left wondering if there are any potential sequels in the works. Cast and staff members of the film have openly expressed their interest in returning: Actor Hiroki Hasegawa, who plays Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Rando Yaguchi, stated in an interview with Anime News Network that he would be willing to do a sequel after happily viewing the film several times.
Atsuki Sato, the film’s editor, in a recent interview with Forbes contributor Ollie Barder was asked whether or not “Shin Godzilla” would go on to become the immense success that it is now, Replied Sato: “I was hoping that it would be a hit, but I didn’t think it would be as successful as it has been.”
“Shin Godzilla” made its U.S. debut on October 11 and is currently playing in select theaters. For more information, visit Funimation Film’s official website for more information on screening locations and more.
Official synopsis from Funimation Films:
“It’s a peaceful day in Japan when a strange fountain of water erupts in the bay, causing panic to spread among government officials. At first, they suspect only volcanic activity, but one young executive dares to wonder if it may be something different… something alive. His worst nightmare comes to life when a massive, gilled monster emerges from the deep and begins tearing through the city, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake. As the government scrambles to save the citizens, a rag-tag team of volunteers cuts through a web of red tape to uncover the monster’s weakness and its mysterious ties to a foreign superpower. But time is not on their side—the greatest catastrophe to ever befall the world is about to evolve right before their very eyes.”