It was reported last week that Godzilla series screenwriter Wataru Mimura passed away last month at age 67. On August 26th he passed of multiple system atrophy.
Mimura's screenwriting career began in 1987 with Freeter. He continued to work on television projects and film through the 1980s. He was asked by Heisei series producer Shogo Tomiyama to write a story treatment for Godzilla vs. Mothra (1992) which led to him screenwriting Takao Okawara's Orochi: The Eight Headed Dragon (1994).
Though Orochi was shot later, Mimura made his screenwriting debut in the Godzilla series with Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla (1993). He returned to revive the series with co-writer Hiroshi Kashiwabara in Godzilla 2000 (1999) and Godzilla x Megaguirus (2000).
After taking on MechaGodzilla again, he closed the Millennium Godzilla series with Godzilla: Final Wars (2004). Though he was unhappy with Godzilla 2000 and Godzilla: Final Wars, he felt he understood the series very well. "I have written several Godzilla movies, so I am confident I understand what is required for Godzilla movies," said Mimura.
His last screenwriting credit is for Michizure, currently in post-production.
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Sources:
- Godzilla Series Screenwriter Wataru Mimura Passes Away at Age 67
- Kaiju Conversations - Wataru Mimura December 1994 Interview
- GODZILLA’S SCREENWRITER! Wataru Mimura on His Career Writing for the Big G!
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