Del Toro Offered Directors Chair

[BS Digital Q]

http://www.latinoreview.com/news/exclusive-guillermo-del-toro-offered-pacific-rim-aka-godzilla-reboot-11382

Also info about the story of the film.

[SuperXAsh]

sounds like, if this is to be believed, (and Latino Review doesn't exactly have the best record on such things at times) it might be going a GFW route. e_e *groans*

[Kaiju_Sensai]

I'd much rather place this in his hands over most anybody else. Whether he would even consider the job is another story altogether.

[The Great MM]

Yeah... so long as Godzilla doesn't end up fighting a 30-story wood imp, sure.

[Goji Son]

Ok, this is getting ridiculous. Del Toro has his hands in too many projects and just needs to stick to one of them and studios need to go else where to find talent.

[lbh]

Del Toro could be brought in to develope the project as he did with "District 9" I'm more concerned that the first script was bad enough to have Legendary consider merging it with another project:eyebrow: In that case I hope Del Toro does become involved. His doing G2012 is the ONLY reason I would except for another delay in "Mountains of Madness":hmmm: Here is my link to my original thread on "Pacific Rim";) http://www.kaijuphile.com/forums/showthread.php?p=338893#post338893

[SuperXAsh]

I'd rather see Del Toro go work on Mountains of Madness, finally give Lovecraft the Hollywood adaptation he deserves.

[Zigra]

sounds like, if this is to be believed, (and Latino Review doesn't exactly have the best record on such things at times) it might be going a GFW route. e_e *groans*

Actually, I think the premise could be really cool if done right. And by "done right", I mean having the kaiju battles last longer than mere seconds, and not letting the kaiju be upstaged by pointless martial arts battles and even more pointless motorcycle chases.

And, personally, I don't want to see an "At the Mountains of Madness" movie, because I don't think it would work as a film. The best part of that whole story is when the narrator goes into detail about the history of the Old Ones' civilization, and I don't see how that would translate very well to film.

[Mecha74]

Not sure what to think at the moment. I mean shouldn't they be going into pre-production already if they want the film ready by 2012? Hopefully they will iron all this out soon.

And some of the comments in the link BS posted make me want to stab people in the face.

[BS Digital Q]

False alarm folks: http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/motion-captured/posts/guillermo-del-toro-on-godzilla-not-so-fast-says-director

[Angiru-San]

False alarm folks: http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/motion-captured/posts/guillermo-del-toro-on-godzilla-not-so-fast-says-director

Thank God. I actually headed over here to make sure everyone knew that this was all bull, so I'm glad to see you're on top of it. Not that I expected any less, of course :).

Del Toro is an awesome, visionary and unique cat - but I don't think he's right for Godzilla. At all. But thats just me. And isnt it amazing how people can fabricate an entire story like the article this entire incident springs from? Obviously, there is no truth to any of this - at all. Who takes the time to just make up an in-depth, fabricated lie?

Anyway, count me as part of the happy-camp that Del Toro isn't on this one.

[chillening]

The problem is that there are very few filmmakers who are right for Godzilla nowadays. Above all else, Godzilla films- the good ones, anyway- require imagination and a sense of daring, which is something many of today's filmmakers lack.

Gore Verbinski would make for an appropriate director; he does equally well with visuals and story. I wasn't a big fan of District 9 but the guy who did that at least put some human drama in his film, which is what a good Godzilla film needs. The script is an even bigger problem; I can't think of any established screenwriters who could pull off a decent Godzilla movie.

[DinoGeekProductions]

Does this mean that the whole "merging Godzilla with Pacific Rim" was false as well? Thank goodness. For a moment I was afraid we'd get the Monsterpocalypse adaptation early.... Why can't they get the story right? Why can't they just do it the way Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio wanted to in the first place?:hmmm:

[The Great MM]

I do not see how there's many film makers left that can't do Godzilla right.

'Cause honestly, if you're expecting some character-driven movie about the poor life of an atomic, city-wrecking dinosaur like Toho tried to do and fell flat on its face numerous times...

No. That is what this movie SHOULDN'T be. It SHOULDN'T try and be anything more than what it is gonna' end up being: an explosion-filled popcorn movie about a giant nuclear dinosaur wrecking cities and fighting other giant, city-wrecking monsters as humanity gets crushed underfoot.

Godzilla hasn't been "deep", "dark", and "scary" since... hell... ever. He's had his high moments, sure, but he isn't some sort of world-changing monster or character-driven one like King Kong.

You can't really make a movie warning us about nuclear bombs now days.
You can't really make a movie about the cold war now days.

There's only a few real world threats left you can throw Godzilla into, the biggest being global warming. So seriously... do you REALLY want another flipping movie about global warming? REALLY?

This movie doesn't need any message behind it.
This movie doesn't need to take itself overly serious.

As far as I'm concerned, this movie can be just like Transformers and I'll be happy. So long as the main character isn't in highschool or college.

[chillening]

If you look at Toho's Godzilla series you'll find that the best Godzilla films put the character into some sort of historical or topical context. The original 1954 film was obviously about nuclear annihiliation. Thirty years later Godzilla was put into a Cold War context by turning him into a spark that could ignite a world war. Godzilla vs. Biollante introduced the dangers of genetic engineering and trying to manipulate nature, which was just entering the public consciousness in the 80s. Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah had an economic subtext, as Japan was entering a period of horrendous stagnation in the 90s.

With all the problems in the world today- terrorism, global warming, social alienation, technology, war in the middle east, etc.- I find it hard to believe that the Godzilla remake can't have any kind of significance beyond shallow popcorn entertainment. That's what they did in 1998; do you really want a repeat of that? This is not about turning Godzilla into a symbol for something, this is simply about the movie's plot having some kind of dramatic weight.

[The Great MM]

If you look at Toho's Godzilla series you'll find that the best Godzilla films put the character into some sort of historical or topical context. The original 1954 film was obviously about nuclear annihiliation. Thirty years later Godzilla was put into a Cold War context by turning him into a spark that could ignite a world war. Godzilla vs. Biollante introduced the dangers of genetic engineering and trying to manipulate nature, which was just entering the public consciousness in the 80s. Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah had an economic subtext, as Japan was entering a period of horrendous stagnation in the 90s.


If you're counting something like Biollante or Ghidorah with having a real obvious "message" or trying to make some sort of impact, I wonder what you'd think of the billions of low budget movies about the end of the world, mankind making killer bugs to fight wars, aliens invading because of global warming, etc.

The only Godzilla movies that have any REAL big, and overly obvious, message is G54, G85, and to an extent, GMK. And GMK's message doesn't make a difference in the United States, so that's moot for me.

And for both G54 and G85, I watch Gigan, MG74, DAM, Destoroyah, KKvG, GTTHM, and a slew of others much more than I do either of those.

Why?
Because G'54 and G'85 can be tediously boring if you're not in the mood for 'em. I'll admit G54 is better with Raymund Burr simply because I don't have to endure the subs, but still.

The last thing I want is to walk into this movie and get some overly dramatic movie when all it should be focusing on is entertaining like, IMO, the best of the best (and most well known and legendary) Godzilla movies do.

With all the problems in the world today- terrorism, global warming, social alienation, technology, war in the middle east, etc.- I find it hard to believe that the Godzilla remake can't have any kind of significance beyond shallow popcorn entertainment. That's what they did in 1998; do you really want a repeat of that? This is not about turning Godzilla into a symbol for something, this is simply about the movie's plot having some kind of dramatic weight.

Here's a plot:

- Godzilla's been around for decades, 'cause we do not need another damn origin movie.
- Mankind continues to fail to stop Godzilla.
- Another monster arrives from space or is created. Ghidorah, Gigan, and Hedorah are the three best for the first movie, IMO.
- Mankind fails to stop new monster.
- Godzilla fights new monster.
- Chaos ensues. Crowd loves it. Company makes money. Godzilla's back.

G'98 sucked not because it was a popcorn movie.
G'98 sucked because it was NOTHING like a Godzilla movie.

The most entertaining and, IMO, best Godzilla movies ARE the popcorn movies. I watch Godzilla vs. Gigan and Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla on a regular basis, and the idea of a big budget movie with top-notch SFX on that much of a chaotic scale... I'm having a nerdgasm already.

[chillening]

It's not about having a message. Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah doesn't have a message, i.e. "don't do this" or "don't do that." It does, however, have subtext, as I said. The notion of a Japanese war hero rebuilding Japan's economy during the post-war period only to have his savior come back to destroy what he created does have some dramatic resonance and irony. That's what I'm talking about.

Personally I don't think either the 1954 or 1984 films are boring. Both are pretty well-acted, at least compared to most films in the franchise, and they both treat the subject matter with respect. My only beef with the 1984 film is the editing, which ranks only with the uncut Rodan as Toho's worst-edited film (although I like both of them).

The last thing I want the American Godzilla movie to be like is something like Godzilla vs. Megalon or Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster, movies that were parodied on MST3K and are now seen as jokes by the public at large. The Godzilla reboot should be mature and straight-faced, not a throwback to the Showa era. No one wants a return of 60s and 70s Godzilla hijinks.

[BS Digital Q]

Frankly, I just want a good action flick with plenty of awesome giant monster action. Thats all. As long as its executed right, and as long as its recognizeably Godzilla, I'm cool. I'd rather not the flick be bogged down by pretentious, cliched "messages", drama, an overabundance of human characters, or anything that'll distract from the main event.

[SuperXAsh]

Frankly, I just want a good action flick with plenty of awesome giant monster action. Thats all. As long as its executed right, and as long as its recognizeably Godzilla, I'm cool. I'd rather not the flick be bogged down by pretentious, cliched "messages", drama, an overabundance of human characters, or anything that'll distract from the main event.

i agree with this sentiment.

[Mecha74]

No one wants a return of 60s and 70s Godzilla hijinks.

Then I guess I'm 'no one', since I loved the 70s films.

Obviously though, none of us want the new age equvilent of Godzilla vs Megalon but that aside, I find myself agreeing with BS as well.

[Zigra]

You can't really make a movie warning us about nuclear bombs now days.
You can't really make a movie about the cold war now days.


You don't follow the news much, do you?

G'98 sucked not because it was a popcorn movie.
G'98 sucked because it was NOTHING like a Godzilla movie.

G98 sucked on many more levels than that. The acting was horrible, the plot was poorly written, and the dialogue was only slightly better than what you'd expect from Uwe Boll (and believe me, I don't say that lightly).

[The Great MM]

You don't follow the news much, do you?

Well you can, but it'd be pretty moot. Like a movie now days tell us that slavery is bad or that AIDs is dangerous. Not to mention, a major insult to any single person's intellegence.

G98 sucked on many more levels than that. The acting was horrible, the plot was poorly written, and the dialogue was only slightly better than what you'd expect from Uwe Boll (and believe me, I don't say that lightly).

Which is actually pretty funny, 'cause those same things can be said about any handful of Toho's crap such as... Godzilla vs. Megaguirus... or Godzilla: Final Wars... or Godzilla vs. Mothra... need I go on?

'Least G'98 had the benefit of good CGI and military effects, as limited as those were. They looked better than anything in a Toho Godzilla movie.

Though, unlike Toho's crap, G'98 was also boring.

[Zigra]

Well you can, but it'd be pretty moot. Like a movie now days tell us that slavery is bad or that AIDs is dangerous. Not to mention, a major insult to any single person's intellegence.

Dude, there's a reason why the possibility of North Korea and Iran producing nukes is such a big deal. Those countries are arguably even more dangerous than the Soviet Union ever was.

Which is actually pretty funny, 'cause those same things can be said about any handful of Toho's crap such as... Godzilla vs. Megaguirus... or Godzilla: Final Wars... or Godzilla vs. Mothra... need I go on?


Funny, you just listed some of my least favorite G films:laugh:

[The Great MM]

Dude, there's a reason why the possibility of North Korea and Iran producing nukes is such a big deal. Those countries are arguably even more dangerous than the Soviet Union ever was.

I don't keep up with news, true.
But do I really think North Korea would even stand a slight chance against the United States and its allies? Even with Iran backing up North Korea?

**** no.

But let's not turn this into some political debate or something.

Funny, you just listed some of my least favorite G films:laugh:

Same, except for G:FW, which I actually enjoy. A lot.

[Tomzilla]

Truth be told, I'd be interested in seeing a Del Toro Godzilla film. Then again I'd love to see a Godzilla film done by Spielberg, Fincher, Aronofsky, Abrams, Tarantino, and a handful of others. Why? Because they'd all bring something new to the iconic character. Something new and exciting.

But we also need someone that respects the material, too. Not necessarily a fan like us. More like a filmmaker who loves the character like a fan but is fully willing to make some necessary changes--something a fan would rarely ever do. I hope they choose wisely.


And yes, it all comes down to the execution. Whether we get a serious film or a popcorn flick, I'm all for it if it's done right. I will agree with some others here about the threat posed by nuclear weapons and how it is still a very real threat today. Nuclear weapons should always be a factor in a Godzilla movie (it doesn't have to be a major one).

But one of the best qualities about Godzilla is how he's so damn flexible. You can use him to sell just about every crisis today. But this should only be done if it improves the story. No secret agendas please. No political motives. I don't like that garbage being shoved down my throat. In the end I don't want this film telling its audience, "And that's why we're to blame for Global Warming!" It can, however, use it as a great plot device. Like the rising in Earth's temperatures is connected to King Ghidorah's arrival or something.

[chillening]

I don't see why we can't get a popcorn action movie that also happens to have a brain. That's what Godzilla vs. Biollante is to me, a Godzilla movie that happens to have an intelligent script and solid storyline. I'm not expecting a David Mamet-worthy script with this reboot, but I do want something that doesn't completely offend me on an intellectual scale.

[DinoGeekProductions]

I don't see why we can't get a popcorn action movie that also happens to have a brain. That's what Godzilla vs. Biollante is to me, a Godzilla movie that happens to have an intelligent script and solid storyline. I'm not expecting a David Mamet-worthy script with this reboot, but I do want something that doesn't completely offend me on an intellectual scale.
Eh, just a movie that's fun is fine for me. I don't see why everyone thinks things need to be intelligent. Even watching a really well-made movie like the ones the critics love is little more than time wasted at the end of the day. If you can't have fun with something. . . . Then again, maybe I shouldn't comment. After all, I enjoyed Prince of Persia: the Sands of Time and Super Mario Bros. where as the rest of the world seemed to disagree with me. :D

Either way, I don't care anymore. As long as I get Godzilla back, nothing's gonna stop me from loving this movie.

[Zigra]

I don't see why we can't get a popcorn action movie that also happens to have a brain. That's what Godzilla vs. Biollante is to me, a Godzilla movie that happens to have an intelligent script and solid storyline. I'm not expecting a David Mamet-worthy script with this reboot, but I do want something that doesn't completely offend me on an intellectual scale.

Agreed. I'm not really expecting brain food here, but I'd at least like something that doesn't kill my brain cells.

[spoken deity]

Im not reading everything, but just so everyone knows... Del Toro denied being offered the job

[Mecha74]

^Already been covered.

http://www.kaijuphile.com/forums/showpost.php?p=338898&postcount=10