Godzilla: The Showa Era Criterion Blu-Ray Set

So here we go. MASSIVE and exciting news. It was supposed to be announced this weekend at SDCC that Criterion's Godzilla titles were going to get a physical release. But for whatever reason that's been pushed a bit. Criterion did say they would announce Spine #1000 this week (likely tomorrow).

Many are expecting it to be a Godzilla announcement and that may be true thanks to these listings:

Bluray.com - Godzilla: The Showa Era Blu-ray Box Set
Target.com - Godzilla: The Showa Era Blu-ray Box Set

These look like leaked info about Criterion's box set. Now initially, Criterion only had the rights to:

Godzilla 54 (and 56)
Godzilla Raids Again
Mothra vs. Godzilla
Ghidorah The Three Headed Monster
Invasion of Astro Monster
Son of Godzilla
Destroy All Monsters
Godzilla vs. Megalon
Godzilla vs MechaGodzilla
Terror of MechaGodzilla
Rodan
War of the Gargantuas

That's 12 movies (13 if you include Godzilla '56). But Blu-Ray.com is not only reporting there will be 15 movies, but claims it includes: King Kong vs. Godzilla, Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster, Godzilla vs. Hedorah and Godzilla vs. Gigan--If this is true it would be the most complete set in the history of the franchise released on Blu-ray!

It would also mean, somehow, Criterion got the rights to King Kong vs. Godzilla from Universal. This is huge since the Japanese version has never been released in North America. (Kraken Releasing recently lost the rights for Sea Monster, Hedorah and Gigan, so it would've been easy for Criterion to pick those up.)

Now it's possible this info is wrong and Rodan and War of the Gargantuas are in the box set instead. But either way, if this is spine #1000 from Criterion, we're looking at the most complete, cleanest, crispest and best release of this films in the history of the franchise--Criterion is known for delivering the best quality products and releasing some of the best and most relevant films of all time. The Showa Godzilla series will now be added to that list.

This is huge and very much important to the preservation of these films. Hopefully we hear something soon. Plus if the Target price is true, 15 movies for $150 is a steal.

For me this is the most exciting Godzilla news happening right now--More-so than anything regarding the Monsterverse, toys or GvK. Bring on the Criterion set of the franchise's best!