Although Toho’s Godzilla Minus One dominated the box office, becoming the most acclaimed entry in the beloved Kaiju’s decades-long history, this isn’t enough to warrant a sequel, at least not for a while. After a seven-year-long gap since their last Kaiju release, which was unanimously deemed the best Godzilla film of all time, Toho seems to have surpassed their standards with the new one.
And while its American counterpart is set to witness another entry in the Monsterverse universe next year, Toho has refused to jump on the sequel bandwagon unless there is a story to tell.
A Follow-up to Godzilla Minus One Isn’t Going to See the Light of Day Anytime Soon
For the right reasons, Godzilla Minus One has become not only the most acclaimed film in the IP’s history but also the highest-grossing live-action Japanese release in the US. But sadly for fans, Toho doesn’t seem keen on jumping straight on the sequel train like many major Hollywood studios. Producer Minami Ichikawa clarified they aren’t looking to rush things, which is undoubtedly the right move, as relying on a barrage of underwhelming sequels has backfired for many studios, especially Marvel. He said (via GQ Japan),
“A few years ago, there was an animated Godzilla movie, and in the future we will continue to realize various new ideas such as publications, merchandise, and collaborative products. However, as for the next live-action movie, I personally don’t think there’s any need to rush things too much. After all, movies are all about the power of the work. We have a good idea, a good script, a good director, and a good cast, and we want to work on it carefully. After all, Godzilla is a character that is worth that much.”
This isn’t surprising, as in recent years, Toho has prioritized telling compelling narratives rather than capitalizing on the hype train, as despite making a sequel to Shin Godzilla, they made Minus One.
Don’t Write Off Godzilla From Being a Major Awards Contenders Just Yet
More prominently, unlike its American Godzilla counterparts, Godzilla Minus One is creating some buzz heading into the award season. Rated at an astounding 98% at the Tomatometer, the acclaimed sci-fi is on the shortlist for Best Visual Effects for 2024’s Oscars, for which it scored a win at the Florida Film Critics Association. The film has also earned nods for Best Film, Best Foreign Film, and Best Visual Effects at the North Carolina Film Critics Association.
Considering that it was made on a budget of $15M, yet the destruction felt more impactful than any of its modern Hollywood counterparts, it’s another testament to Toho’s competence.
