Godzilla’s latest film will release in 2023, but after their initial wave of excitement passed, anxiety over whether the movie would be any good took hold.

Toho announced the new Godzilla film on Nov. 2, revealing an expected premiere date of Nov. 3, 2023. The announcement also revealed that director Takashi Yamazaki (Stand By Me Doraemon) would helm the movie. Yamazaki has a lengthy resume, including Lupin III: The First (2019), Parasyte: Parts 1 & 2 (2014 and 2015, respectively) and Dragon Quest: Your Story (2019). He’s also worked as a screenwriter and in visual effects. However, despite his industry experience and film credits, Godzilla fans are wary of how well a film under his direction could turn out. According to SoraNews24, fans’ concern and disappointment stem from Yamazaki’s lack of a track record. The director typically works on feel-good films, leading kaiju lovers to wonder whether Yamazaki is edgy enough to do justice to the King of the Monsters.

Fans Are Keeping Expectations Low

Fan reactions include:

  • “It better not be Space Battle Ship Yamato all over again. Frankly I don’t have high expectations.”
  • I still haven’t forgiven Your Story. It’s a problem that children think that this is Dragon Quest.”
  • “They’ve got big shoes to fill after Shin Godzilla… but can they get it all done in a year?”

As mentioned earlier, some of the director’s previous works, including Stand By Me Doraemon and the Dragon Quest live-action movie, are considered family-friendly and were generally well-received. Although he seems to prefer films centering around lighter subjects, Yamazaki is an award-winning director, with three of his films previously winning prizes at the Japan Academy Prize ceremony. Despite fans’ concerns, Yamazaki is a fan of Godzilla and previously assisted with visual effects for 2016’s Shin Godzilla. He also directed the videos for the theme park attraction Godzilla the Ride in Tokyo.

While fans have mixed feelings about a Yamazaki-led Godzilla film, they have plenty of other news to celebrate. The CG-animated short film Godzilla vs. Gigan Rex and Godzilla Fest Gigan Attack both dropped earlier this month at Godzilla Fest. It was the first Godzilla Fest to feature more than one original film, one of which (Godzilla Fest Gigan Attack) was crowdfunded by fans in Japan. Additionally, after its premiere at the event, the entirety of Godzilla vs. Gigan Rex was uploaded to YouTube for viewers around the world to enjoy.

The untitled Godzilla film, helmed by Takashi Yamazaki, will premiere on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023.

Source: SoraNews24