Writer-director Takashi Yamazaki created a powerhouse movie with Godzilla Minus One that was welcomed with open arms – but are there plans for a sequel?
Godzilla stomped his way into theaters in December 2023 and proved the infamous monster is still a force to be reckoned with. The movie centered on a post-World War 2 Japan still trying to recover when it faces the destruction of Godzilla. A character named Koichi sees it as an opportunity to redeem himself.
The Japanese movie put Hollywood to shame (per our review) and has fans eager for more. Takashi Yamazaki has previously voiced his thoughts on the possibility of a sequel installment and if it’s something he’s planning.
So, here’s everything we know about the Godzilla Minus One sequel and if it will ever become a reality.
Is a sequel to Godzilla Minus One happening?
The writer/director revealed he’s not currently working on developing a sequel instalment, but he does have a few ideas, and it’s up to production house, Toho, to give him the chance to return.
Yamazaki has given fans some hope but no hope of a Godzilla Minus One sequel. In an interview with HJ Web, he expressed, “No, there is no such [movie in the works] at all. But I might be a little sad if someone is chosen for the next movie. When someone says, ‘This is the person who will direct the next Godzilla,’ I think, ‘Ah!’ And when someone says, ‘Please do it,’ I think, ‘Ah!’ [laughs].”
The director described the movie as “a culmination of my entire filmography and everything I’ve been building up this entire time,” according to MovieMaker.
Godzilla Minus One gained praise at the same time that Oppenheimer made its big on-screen debut. Both movies focus on the effects of World War 2 and nuclear weapons. “It was definitely a coincidence that both films came out this year. But in a much more relevant sense to current events, I think the threat of nuclear warfare is almost at its highest right now in recent years than in any other year that most of us have been alive,” said Yamazaki.
Both movies received Oscar nominations, with Godzilla Minus One nominated for Best Visual Effects.
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What would the plot be?
Yamazaki revealed a Godzilla Minus One sequel would follow the events of the original movie instead of it being a standalone.
The ending of the movie saw the lead protagonist accomplishing his mission and killing Godzilla. If Yamazaki were to make a new installment, he wants to make it a storyline continuation. He explains the prior two Godzilla movies were standalone. For the sequel, he wants to possibly give fans a villain monster to deal with.
But who would it be? As Godzilla Minus One exists within its own world untethered to other installments, Yamazaki can choose any kaiju. The movie’s finale teased that Godzilla may very well return to wreak havoc.
Would the original cast return for a sequel?
While not confirmed, the storyline of Godzilla Minus One does leave room for the cast to return.
Toho has not announced official plans for a sequel movie despite the director’s glee to do it. It also leads to no confirmation on whether the lead cast is willing to return as well to their roles if the sequel is a continuing storyline.
Per the finale, the characters are alive and well (Godzilla included). An epilogue scene had a reunion between Koichi and Noriko as their wounds weren’t fatal.
Akiko is also alive. The sequel instalment could very well focus once again on Koichi having to take on the monster again. Another scenario would be Akiko taking up the mantle as Koichi was her adopted father.
For more from the iconic monster, here’s how to watch Godzilla Minus One and all you need to know about the movie’s Blu-ray release. We also have everything you need to know about Godzilla x Kong, too.
