We’re in the midst of a bona fide Godzilla renaissance between the ever-expanding Monsterverse and the triumph of visionary director Takashi Yamazaki’s Academy Award-winning Godzilla Minus One. Whereas we can’t get a brand new Monsterverse film till 2027, the sequel Godzilla Minus Zero is on observe to probably launch in late 2026.
As hypothesis flies about what the title of Godzilla Minus Zero really means, there have been simply as many theories about what the plot would possibly entail. Primarily based on clues from Yamazaki himself and his previous work, together with Godzilla’s personal cinematic historical past, it appears all however sure that Godzilla Minus Zero will function one other monster for Godzilla to sq. off in opposition to.
Ever for the reason that instant sequel to his debut film (1955’s Godzilla Raids Once more) Godzilla has incessantly been depicted as a destroyer bent on tormenting the Earth or a guardian defending the planet from extraterrestrial or Earth-based monstrous threats. If Godzilla Minus Zero goes to have Godzilla go into battle, there are a number of basic monsters I would actually like to see get a remedy from Takashi Yamazaki.
10
Baragon
It is a darkish horse candidate to make sure, however Baragon has developed a devoted cult following within the years since his debut in Toho’s 1965 basic Frankenstein vs. Baragon. Baragon is a burrowing monster that was depicted as a predatory villain in his debut, however later went on to be one in all Earth’s guardian monsters charged with stopping an evil Godzilla in Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Large Monsters All-Out Assault.
Baragon would make for a extra reasonable villain for Godzilla to struggle with out having to introduce any of Toho’s extra outlandish go-to plot units like aliens or robots. He utilized an orange warmth ray, which may very well be an fascinating counterattack for Godzilla. Whereas Yamazaki’s Godzilla wants time to cost up and deploy his major atomic warmth ray, Baragon’s agility and quick-hitting skill may very well be an amazing foil, and might be executed with a way more cheap price range.
9
Megalon
Megalon’s first look in Godzilla vs. Megalon of the Showa Period was virtually cartoonish, and whereas he boasts an intimidating array of weaponry, he was traditionally dismissed as a minor menace to Large G. Takuya Uenishi’s 2023 brief movie Godzilla vs. Megalon modified the narrative fairly a bit, as his model (sometimes called Reiwa Megalon) was a lightning-quick flying menace.
A flying monster may very well be the proper villain for Godzilla in Minus Zero, particularly after watching Shikishima frustrate him together with his specially-designed Shinden fighter. Yamazaki may have a ton of enjoyable with Megalon’s energy set as a response to Godzilla’s nuclear blast atomic breath, and as an Earth-based monster he would not must sacrifice a wonderful script to make aliens or robots work.
8
King Caesar
King Caesar has at all times been a favourite of mine, regardless that he famously did not handle to perform a lot in both his debut (Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla) or his second look (Godzilla: Remaining Wars). His design, primarily based on the mythological Japanese shisa guardians, is fascinating, and his agility and velocity are uncommon among the many kaiju that Godzilla has confronted.
King Caesar is depicted because the guardian monster of Okinawa, which makes it extremely straightforward to fold him into the present universe of Godzilla Minus Zero. There can be no loopy story parts, only a resurgence of Godzilla and a plot machine to awaken King Caesar. I believe Yamazaki may inform a very nice story utilizing King Caesar and his relationship with Japan, and subsequently with Godzilla.
7
Anguirus
Godzilla’s very first opponent later advanced right into a loyal ally of the King of the Monsters, though he did change into considerably of a punching bag for stronger monsters. Yamazaki caught with loads of the themes of the unique Godzilla for Godzilla Minus One, so it could be fairly pure to proceed that trajectory whereas swapping within the rushed, inaccessible story for Godzilla Raids Again with one thing extra worthy.
With a historical past as each a villain and an ally to Godzilla, Anguirus makes for a pleasant entry level to pivot Godzilla’s allegiance. He might not immediately be “good” in Minus Zero, however by stopping a rampaging Anguirus he may transfer nearer to impartial. Some theorize that the numerical factor of the film titles may very well be pointing to precisely that: the place Minus One confirmed Godzilla as a destroyer, Minus Zero may depict him as a impartial celebration.
6
Rodan
Rodan has a wealthy historical past in Japanese cinema, as he acquired a solo film simply two years after Godzilla did. He predates Mothra, Ghidorah, and Mechagodzilla in Toho’s prolonged timeline, but it appears like we have not seen sufficient of him. I liked the Monsterverse’s model of Rodan, wherein he was depicted as a drive of nature with magma for blood whose allegiance was to the strongest monster within the yard.
Once more, a flying monster can be an amazing problem for the lumbering Godzilla of Minus One, and the harmful winds of Rodan’s flight may very well be actually unimaginable in Yamazaki’s palms. He has the flexibility to utterly devastate massive areas, and will surely necessitate the intervention of Godzilla ought to he set his sights on Japan.
5
Hedorah
Hedorah looks as if a really possible candidate for the opposite monster in Godzilla Minus Zero for a number of causes. First, director Takashi Yamazaki has straight expressed curiosity in remaking Godzilla vs. Hedorah, and it appears virtually sure that he would have a remedy not less than loosely fleshed out lengthy earlier than Minus Zero received the inexperienced gentle.
Hedorah’s summary design and continually evolving kinds can be playtime for the gifted visible results artist Yamazaki, which is a part of what he is expressed excites him concerning the concept of remaking a Hedorah film. There was some discourse on-line that the “-0.0” a part of the Minus Zero brand appears to be like like Hedorah’s gigantic and distinctive eyes, however that is mere hypothesis for now.
Hedorah’s lethality and metaphorical gravity additionally present Yamazaki with loads of human drama to play with. Whereas he handled heavy post-war Japanese themes in Minus One, he may flip to extra trendy issues surrounding humanity’s relationship with the world for Minus Zero utilizing Hedorah.
4
Gigan
There is not a lot justification for utilizing Gigan in Minus Zero apart from the truth that I wish to see Yamazaki get his palms on the bottom Gigan design. He’s one in all, if not the coolest-looking monsters Godzilla has ever confronted, significantly the Millennium model of Godzilla: Remaining Wars.
As a cyborg, Gigan’s presence would contain the introduction of aliens to the universe of Minus Zero, and it might actually not be in Yamazaki’s finest curiosity to go that drastically unrealistic after the reward lauded on Godzilla Minus One for its human-focused story and reasonable, grounded world-building. File this one away within the “most likely not, however may you think about” class for now.
3
King Ghidorah
Technically, now we have already seen what Takashi Yamazaki’s King Ghidorah would appear to be, or not less than a model of it. Yamazaki wrote, directed, and designed King Ghidorah as the principle villain for the theater simulator trip Godzilla the Experience: Large Monsters Final Battle at Seibuen Amusement Park in Tokorozawa Metropolis in Saitama, Japan, which put audiences in the midst of a battle between Large G and the three-headed dragon.
With a model already constructed and the depth of historical past with King Ghidorah, it makes excellent sense that Yamazaki would wish to faucet him in for the sequel. Nonetheless, it is doable that King Ghidorah, in his many variations, is type of performed out, and does not provide the identical vary of narrative alternatives that different monsters do. Nonetheless, Yamazaki’s design is superb, and as Godzilla’s archnemesis, his presence is smart.
2
Mechagodzilla
In early 2025, Yamazaki’s second model of the theater simulator trip opened, which this time featured Godzilla doing battle with the celebrated director’s imaginative and prescient for Mechagodzilla. There are some similarities to the Monsterverse’s Mechagodzilla, though it is noticeably totally different within the common physique and head construction.
Godzilla Minus One noticed the survivors of Godzilla’s first main assault band collectively to kill Godzilla as soon as and for all, utilizing ingenious science and excellent bravery to beat the large monster. A regenerated and resurgent Godzilla would possibly necessitate extra drastic measures from humanity, which may yield the creation of Mechagodzilla.
I’ve liked Mechagodzilla since his origin in 1974 and would like to see Yamazaki’s model on the massive display, however primarily based on the expertise of the time in Minus One, there must be extraterrestrial interference or a fairly important time soar to deliver Mechagodzilla to life.
1
Biollante
One among my favourite monsters in Godzilla’s historical past is the criminally underused Biollante, a large plant beast that was a results of gene splicing. Biollante was created when a scientist joined Godzilla cells with genetic materials from his lifeless daughter and a rose. After Godzilla Minus One handled the ethics and risks of warfare (significantly nuclear warfare), Godzilla Minus Zero may choose up the dialog with one thing extra trendy in genetic energy.
Some have speculated that the shifting black bruising alongside Noriko’s neck after she survived Godzilla’s assault may very well be proof that she can have a psychic connection to Godzilla, a standard trope in Godzilla cinema. Nonetheless, the presence of G-cells (if that’s the truth is what the black spot on her neck signifies) may hyperlink her to Biollante if he is created.
I wish to see Yamazaki take management of Biollante’s large stature and twisting, lethal vines. Biollante has additionally solely appeared as soon as within the motion pictures, that means he may actually make the monster’s design and origin his personal in Godzilla Minus Zero, which is vastly extra fascinating to me than seeing the seventeenth model of Mothra, for instance.
- Director
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Takashi Yamazaki
- Writers
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Takashi Yamazaki
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Ryunosuke Kamiki
Koichi Shikishima
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Minami Hamabe
Noriko Oishi
