20 years after its world premiere in Japan, Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S., the 28th film in the Godzilla franchise, will finally make it to the big screen in the United States.
As Collider reports, Fathom Events is bringing the 2003 production to US screens for a one-night-only special event on March 22 which is, strictly speaking, roughly eight months before the actual anniversary of the film’s premiere. The screening also includes Godzilla vs. Gigan Rex, a short film making its US debut that originally premiered at the 2022 Japan Godzilla Festival. Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. follows Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla, which Fathom Events brought to American theaters on Nov. 3 in 2022. The date is considered Godzilla Day since the franchise’s very first movie was released nationwide in Japan on that day in 1954 after a limited release in Nagoya one week earlier. Tickets are on sale now.
The film’s original title translates to Godzilla x Mothra x Mechagodzilla Tokyo S.O.S., paying respect to its entire cast of creatures. The plot sees Japan under threat from Godzilla once again as he wants his old bones back. They had been used to forge Kiryu, commonly known as Mechagodzilla, the giant robot kaiju built to defend the country from Godzilla. With Kiryu undergoing repairs, Mothra offers her help in fending off the mutated lizard and officially serves as the city’s guardian. The Japanese government, however, is displeased with this turn of events since Mothra made quite a mess the last time she descended on Tokyo. Eventually, Mothra, her offspring and the rebooted Mechagodzilla must unite to face the monster that started it all.
Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. was directed by Masaaki Tezuka, who also helmed Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla as well as Godzilla vs. Megaguirus. All three films are part of what is considered the franchise’s Millennium era (1999-2004), a phase characterized by diminishing box-office returns and a perceived lack of vision and direction. Of the six Millennium Godzilla movies, only Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla and Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. share continuity.
In recent years, the Godzilla franchise has been lucratively revived in both Japan and the United States. An upcoming Apple TV series will feature the original kaiju and more, 2024 will see a sequel to Godzilla vs Kong, and Japan will welcome a new homegrown Godzilla film in late 2023.
Tickets for the special screenings of Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. on March 22 can be preordered via the Fathom Events website.
Source: Collider
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