‘Godzilla’ Shared Universe On The Way From Toho
Tohois creating their ownGodzillashared universe. Not to be confused with Legendary Entertainment’s MonsterVerse, Toho’s shared universe will launch after Toho’s deal with Warner Bros. and Legendary comes to a close after2021.
Here’s a nice reminder that there’s still good news left in the movie world: Toho is planning aGodzillashared universe. First reported byNikkei Style(viaBloody Disgusting), the idea is that Toho is giving up plans on makingShin Godzilla 2to instead create a huge Kaiju-based cinematic universe. This idea shouldn’t be confused with Legendary and Warner Bros. Monsterverse (which, in turn, shouldn’t be confused with Universal’s Dark Universe). The Monsterverse kicked-off with theGareth Edwards' 2014 American remake ofGodzilla, and continued with 2017’sKong: Skull Island. The MonsterVerse will soldier on with aGodzillasequel and then eventuallyGodzilla vs Kong. And that’s where Toho’sGodzillashared universe will come on.
Toho’s current deal with Warner Bros. and Legendary has kept Toho on the sidelines until 2021. Come 2021, though, Toho plans to unleash theirGodzillashared universe upon the world. Of the idea, Toho’sKeijiOtasaid:
“After 2021, we’re thinking of a potential strategy that [releases] Godzilla movies uninterrupted at a rate of every 2 years, although there is a preference for a yearly pace as well…The future of the series and its forwarding developments are very conscious of the method of “shared universe”. Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah, etc. could all share a single world view much like a Marvel movie where Iron Man and the Hulk can crossover with each other.”
Toho has owned theGodzillafranchise since the 1950s, with the giant monster starring in 29 of Toho’s films. The most recent TohoGodzillapicture was 2016’sShin Godzilla. Godzillafans seemed to really enjoy that film, but if you assumed that aShin Godzillasequel would be part of this newGodzillashared universe, guess again. In regards to the possibility ofShin Godzilla 2, Ota said:
“Shin Godzilla was a huge hit, but instead of thinking of doing the obvious idea of making a Shin Godzilla 2, instead think about a world that can be used for a long time. I’d rather make a World of Godzilla.”
If you need moreGodzillamayhem in your life for now, you can check out the animatedGodzilla: Planet of the Monsterson Netflix.Godzilla: King of the Monsters, the sequel to Edwards' film, now directed byMichael Dougherty, is due outMarch 22, 2019.Godzilla vs. Kong, directed byAdam Wingard, arrivesMay 29, 2020.
