Solid write up with lots of fascinating information. Some highlights to me:
"When you think about it, Toho started building these cinematic universes back in the 1960s and '70s. Really, the '50s, if you want to go back further."
To be fair, Universal did it first, but I don't mind the filmmakers getting caught up in the excitment of hyping the Showa series' cinematic universe.
"At the heard of the film is this relationship between a mother and daughter. It might be one of the first Godzilla movies to pass the Bechdel Test, from that perspective."
I'm glad the core of the film has that kind of grounded nature and I know Farmiga is talking about the Bechdel Test from that "perspective", but other movies to hit that bar: Mothra vs. Godzilla, Ghidorah: The Three Headed Monster, Godzilla vs. Gigan, Godzilla vs. Biollante, Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla II, Godzilla vs. Destoroyah, Godzilla 2000, Godzilla x Megaguirus, Godzilla x MechaGodzilla, Godzilla: Final Wars... those are just off the top of my head.
"The tricky thing with intertwining a human story with a Godzilla movie is that you don't have as much real estate with the human story. At least a third of your film, if not more, needs to be devoted to giant creatures beating the shit out of each other!"
Jesting aside, I surely hope those ends any concerns we'll see plenty of monster action.
"I didn't see men in rubber suits. I saw ancient, powerful, mythic creatures. To me, these creatures were intelligent beings fighting out old grudges. They were the equivalent of dragons and giants, and all the creatures you read about in mythology and the Bible."
Dougherty's absolute reverence for the series is wonderful. He's probably the most fanboy heavy director the series has had since Tezuka. Good or bad, this movie will certainly have enthusiasm for the material.
"...[For the music score] we brought in Taiko drummers from Japan. We brought in Japanese priests to chant. Even the lyrics in some of the chanting have significance."
Getting Shin Godzilla vibes from the chanting comments. Love it. The score is something I'm looking forward to the most.
"Batman's got the Batcave. Superman's got the Fortress of Solitude. So it seemed to make sense Godzilla would have somewhere to go ... I love the idea that he returns to a place that, in some ways, was built for him by some previous human civilisation..."
This is equal parts reverent & goofy which is perfect for the Godzilla franchise. I'm so excited this idea was implemented. Looking forward to seeing the G-Cave! Now if we can just get him a G-mobile.
I may have to pick this up for collection reasons.
