Godzilla 2016: A Nuclear Nightmare?

The kind of nightmare scenario you mentioned would be ideal. It also seems in line with the past work/style of the directors, not to mention the promise to give us our "worst nightmare." I hope that Anno and Higuchi have something up their sleaves, and that this 'something' be shocking and overwhelming.

A return to the nuclear theme would be welcomed and a nice homage to the original, genre-launching film. Accordingly, I anticipate a Godzilla that is mysterious, purposeful and driven-by anger for having been irradiated and mutated by nuclear energy. I hope the design corresponds to, and fits the character of, a scary, dangerous and totally unpredictable monster.

As Godzilla would be unpredictable, I hope the film's narrative is the same way: one that the viewer, transformed, unwillingly, into participant, cannot figure out. Right up to the cliffhanging end.

It would be refreshing, and actually endearing, that the human players in this story be at a loss as to what to do. To have Godzilla and a nuclear crisis, one caused by him, to deal with, would be wonderfully overwhelming. The possibility of meaningful subplots is rich, limited only by the imaginations and the hearts of the writers. 

As part of the homage to Gojira, it would be nice to have incidents happen suddenly and mysteriously, without a hint of explanation.

JAMAAL - The concepts you have presented sound extremely compelling! Indeed, I would absolutely love to see Godzilla portrayed in such a fashion as to evoke a sense of horrifying mystery - one that ultimately leads to more questions than answers. I also would like to see an iteration of Godzilla that is quite obviously driven by a terrible purpose insilled in him by man's foolishness, yet completely unknown. The nuclear crisis you presented would be extremely fantastic! Thank you ever so much for providing so much food for thought! :)

And then, when it's over (and it's horror-filled, scary, visually spectacular, but edifying, meaningful and symbolic 'it'), I would like to see the end credits roll with us following Godzilla, his footsteps registering like thunder, that iconic, original roar from the 1954 film piercing the night, and then, he turns and looks at us, with the scariest, most vicious, hate-filled expression you've seen.

And then, fade to black...

It's funny you started this topic Something Real. I recently read an article about Anno's fears of atomic warfare: Japan's New Anime King, Hideaki Anno, Haunted by Fears of Nuclear Apocalypse

The article was written barely two months before the new Godzilla was announced and he had already long been signed on to the project. (It's likely he was hinting at this movie.) Still, it comes with a sense of welcoming dread that a man who vividly remembers fearing the Cold War era is in control of this movie. He seems to have the nightmares you're speculating over.

"one that ultimately leads to more questions than answers. I also would like to see an iteration of Godzilla that is quite obviously driven by a terrible purpose insilled in him by man's foolishness, yet completely unknown."

I agree, SOMETHING REAL: this is what I what from this Godzilla: mystery, suspense, a driven, scary monster who cannot be contained, and whose actions cannot be anticipated. As the attacks increase, a sense of hopelessness coupled with desperation becomes pervasive. The resultant conflict between the authorities responsible for responding to the crisis, this disaster, mirrors the chaos and destruction caused by Godzilla, with no end in sight.  

GMAN2887 - OH! Hahaha! That is extremely compelling! Thank you for providing the link; I greatly enjoyed reading the article! It is funny; when I was a little girl (about nine years old or so) I watched Terminator Two: Judgement Day (my cousin insisted). When Sarah had her nightmare in the film (that ghastly scene where she burns alive), it terrified me senseless! I believe I cried for the rest of the night! From that day to my 27th birthday last Feburary, I have dreaded nuclear conflict in the extreme! However, I feel that I have been somewhat, hmm, compelled by that fear to produce creative works. Thank you again for the link! :)

JAMAAL - Spot on! I hope we get something that really stands out as a definitve Godzilla that honors its incredibly unsettling roots! :)

If Anno was really fearful of a nuclear apocalypse this is his time to get it out.

Any filmmaker who is as haunted by atomic armageddon as Anno claims he is deserves to express himself through Godzilla.

GMAN2887 - Here, here! I could not agree more! Well spoke, sir! :)

GMAN2887 - If anyone has the ability to provide a Godzilla that will do the mythology justice, it is Anno! :)

And I believe that dramatic, moving contrasts, startling juxtapositions, help to make a film's narrative compelling and engaging.

There's this seemingly unstoppable force, on one hand. On the other, there are the people, the characters we've gotten to know, who are now tasked with no only trying to survive,but overcome overwhelmingn odds. For I believe that even in a 'scary' Godzilla film, there has to be hope. Shusuke Kaneko said in an interview that as a filmmaker, he wants to give the audience a sense of hope for the future. That this can somehow be pulled out of a violent, mayhem-filled, appearance of a giant monster, would be truly great spectacle. I hope to see this, God willing, with all that the filmmakers can bring to the table.  

Of course, we could be getting ahead of ourselves. What if Anno pulls a fast one on us and boom, hello Jet Jaguar!

Doubtful of course, but we're mostly just going of what's been hinted, what the filmmakers have done before and what their philosophies are. Many thought we were getting a movie like the one you guys are describing in 2014 because most of that seemed to line-up. We didn't. I enjoyed what we got, but it wasn't what was being built up.

Now marketing isn't as outrageous in Japan as it is in America, but until we have a clearer idea of what this movie is aiming to do, I caution to be prepared for anything.

I have seen almost every episoide in eva, all the movies, and am pretty sure am not the only one who hasnt seen attack on titan. trust me REAL, this is gonna be a really, really, really scary Godzilla. Probly really bloody and gory to if he fights another monster, which i dont think hes gonna do

^Sounds good to me.

Well Godzilla has always been a symbol/metaphor of Nuclear Destruction. So if in the 2016 movie Godzilla was this Nuclear Nightmare you've described, not only woud it be true to the character, but it would be very awesome and very horrifying. It would be very nice to see Godzilla be a walking Nuclear Disaster again.

GMAN2887 - Hahaha! That would be something! If Jet Jaguar comes out of left field, I will start calling this Godzilla the GMAN2887 film on account that you predicted it! You are quite right; we are getting ahead of ourselves - and perhaps a tad carried away. However, it is very fun to speculate with you guys over the possibilities for this future film - especially since the lot of you are an intelligent bunch of proper villains with the capacity to hold an engaging conversation! :)

HEISEIKING - I certainly hope what you have speculated turns out to be true! I, too, have seen Attack on Titan and a small amount of Neon Genesis. From what I can tell, this is going to be extremely thought provoking, scary and fun! :)

KINGKAIJUGOJIRA - I could not agree more! I would absolutley love to see Godzilla return to his dark and distubring roots - especially in a film directed by indviduals whom understand and value that legacy and will do their best to preserve it! :)

SOMETHING REAL, You took the words out of my mouth. The fact that the directors understand and value the legacy created by the King of the Monsters make it even more likely that Godzilla will be the walking Nuclear Apocalypse he started as. Perhaps the new 2016 design may resemble the original 1954 ShodaiGoji desgin.

KINGKAIJUGOJIRA - I can not describe how utterly ecstatic I would be if Toho's new Godzilla resembles the original from 1954! That would likely bring me to tears! Ugh! We are so getting ahead of ourselves - but it is extremely fun to hypothesize with all of you! :)

"We have our fears and we have reality, then you have Godzilla which is reality."

Like Gman2887 said, if Anno claims that fear, he should express it through his vision. Ishoro Honda witnessed first hand what the dangers of the atomic bomb and radiation can do to the world. He applied that to Godzilla.

Fear can mean many things. So, if Anno wants to express that fear, he should by having Godzilla being that malevolent (God) in which he was visioned and created. A towering, meanacing, devil that unleashes hell on earth.

I'm actually creating some fan art for my hype of this film. I really look forward to it.

BIGBADBEN - How very excellent! I am exceptionally excited to see what you are producing! There is no doubt in my mind that you will create truly astounding images and I, for one, will be honored in the extreme to view them! :)

@Something real,

Well, first thing is first. I am wrapping up the Godzilla raids again graphic novel as we speak. I will be releasing it on here, Twitter, and Devaintart within one more month. After that GorillaGodzilla has been waiting very patiently for his request for a poster on Godzilla 2018.

As soon as those are knocked out of the way, I'm going into production on them. Then who knows what's next? ;)

BIGBADBEN - I can not wait! :)

A recapitulation of this would be fine with me:

@Jamaal,

I think people can put that "vs." To rest.

When they said "our greatest worst nightmare " that should have been an indication that this very well could be a solo Godzilla film. The first in 32 years! 

Now, they can still do a vs. movie, but I'm beginning to have my doubts. They can include another monster and still make it work but, that doesn't feel right to me personally.

It needs to be a solo Godzilla film. To me at least. There are so many unanswered questions going around right now. 

BIGBADBEN and JAMAAL - Indeed! I want the "greatest worst nightmare"! Bring it on! :)

A solo film keeps coming to mind. I don't know why. Just a feeling. If Anno and Higuchi do what we know them to be capable of, there won't be a need for a second monster.

The Shodai-Goji, as a template for the Godzilla design, but updated with 2015 special and visual effects, would fit a solo Godzilla film. This look is probably my favorite. Especially that poster. There are those scenes in Gojira where he's looking down at you, directly. It's chilling and mesmerizing. It would be great to experience that again, anew, through the best in meticulous, lovingly-applied tokusatsu effects, with all of the advances that have been made in this art form.

Remember, this is Toho. They mandated Godzilla must fight another monster for the 2014 film. I can see them enforcing this same thing here unless Anno and Higuchi came up with something so wild for a solo film that Toho absolutely knew it was a win. I don't find that entirely likely, albeit, not impossible.

GMAN2887 and JAMAAL - Why is it that Toho desires Godzilla to do battle against other monsters rather than terrorize mankind on his own? I have always wondered at this. As far as I know (and please correct me if I am wrong) the only films in which Godzilla has taken center stage by himself are Godzilla (1954) and the Return of Godzilla (Godzilla 1984). What reason(s) do you gentlemen believe keeps Toho from sending Godzilla out alone? Is it due to audience interest or is there something metaphorical/symbolic that I am failing to grasp? :)

^Yes, it is Toho.

Another monster also means more toys and models. Plus, it allows, plot-wise, for Godzilla to become the de fatco defender of Japan, since he would likely be fighting, to the death, something much worse. Personally, I like the idea of another kaiju, an 'enemy' monster. But, I would prefer something new and hideously imaginative. The potential for a shocking and formidible opponent is there. And just not conceptually, but also in terms of execution. Look at Irys and Legion.

It would be nice to wind up, out of necessity and somewhat reluctantly, rooting for Godzilla as he defends his turf. The irony and ambiguity of it would be a great touch.

But, a solo Godzilla film, with the focus just on him and the attempt to contain and defeat him, if done right, would be welcomed for many reasons. Among them, from the standpoint of resembling Gojira and Return of Godzilla (1984).

I think a solo Godzilla film might be a bit daunting, story and entertainment-wise, to some. Personally, I find it intriguing. But it may be easier, more convenient, to pit him against something, which means, another monster.

But I also think Anno and Higuchi are more than capable of a great Godzilla film, solo or not. 

While I believe Anno and Higuchi could deliver a stunning, moving, spectacular solo Godzilla film, as Gman2887 said, Toho is Toho. They may not want to 'take a chance' with a Godzilla only movie and story. After all, they're footing the bill. A reboot without another monster is something the bean counters at Toho may not have a yen for.

Sorry. Couldn't resist. 

JAMAAL - Thank you so much for the clarifications! Indeed; I have no doubt that the new directors possess the talent to produce an excellent film - regardless if it boasts Godzilla alone or features him doing battle against another monster! However, I would greatly enjoy seeing Godzilla alone as a destructive force humanity inflicted upon itself. For some reason, I have this image - a scene - stuck in my head; one of Godzilla striding up from the depths of Tokyo Bay and simply standing there to gaze out at the massive sprawl of concrete, steel and lights for many long moments. At close-ups, all that would be shown are his eyes, filled with something that borders on an awareness that is just on the verge of breaking away from simple animal intelligence - something we unintentionally instilled in him. That would make me very happy! :)

@Jamaal,

They are more than capable of producing a great Godzilla film. I personally just don't see another monster making into this film. But, that's just where I'm taking this whole "our greatest worst nightmare " into the equation.

@Gman2887,

I know they told Legendary to put in other monsters but, they could have told them to do so in order for them to make the solo film. I know those days could and quite possibly be over, but hey you never know.

There are a lot of companies that tell one company to do this and that company goes and does what they wanted and intended.

Either way I'm still excited that Toho is doing another Godzilla film. This is a great time to be a Godzilla fan! 

Two unique parallels coming together to bring us their unique vision and creativity. I'm super pumped that Shinji Higuchi is finally bringing his special effects mastery to Godzilla. It's really going to be interesting to see what they do.

"I know they told Legendary to put in other monsters but, they could have told them to do so in order for them to make the solo film."

Actually, considering the time table, this isn't a bad theory in the least. It would make a whole lot of sense really...

SOMETHING REAL-I like your vision of Godzilla 'sizing things up' before his assault on Tokyo (and, our senses). A great aprt of his appeal is his being a sentient being, with a pronounced level of intelligence. This gives him purpose and endows his actions with meaningfulness they would not have if he was 'just an animal.' A scene like the one you described would be chilling, especially if wrapped in a meaningful silence.

BIGBADBEN-A solo film has a lot of appeal to me too. Something so singular and symbolic: just Godzilla and humankind. Another creature, an additional threat, would be, to some extent, redundant. Especially if Godzilla is portrayed with force, imagination and power. He should be something you cannot imagine, even though his reality is overwhelmingly obvious. The human narrative and exposition will need to be well-written and meaningful, but without being heavy-handed and preachy. To me, it will be just fine if not everything is 'figured out,' even by the end. And not just to leave a door open to a sequel.

Godzilla should mystify and impress, instill awe and fear.