Godzilla Minus One director gives depressing update about sequel

Desperate for a Godzilla Minus One sequel? Writer-director Takashi Yamazaki has good news and bad news for you.

Fans have speculated about the possibility of a follow-up film ever since Godzilla Minus One stomped into cinemas worldwide in December 2023. The creature feature’s rave reviews and monster box office earnings only intensified this sequel buzz.

Yamazaki hasn’t been shy about his interest in making a sequel, either. On the contrary, the filmmaker put his hand up to helm a second installment at Godzilla Minus One’s Japanese premiere.

Yet Toho Studios still hasn’t officially greenlit a Godzilla Minus One sequel, and according to Yamazaki, may not do so for a while, either.

Godzilla Minus One director gives depressing update about sequel

In an interview with HJ Web, Yamazaki indicated that he’s not currently in talks with Toho to continue Godzilla Minus One’s story.

“No, there is no such [movie in the works] at all,” he insisted. “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]”

That said, Yamazaki also made it clear he already has some ideas for a Godzilla Minus One sequel, if and when Toho gives him the thumbs-up. Specifically, Yamazaki is eager to pick up where the original film left off. He also wants to give Godzilla someone to fight.

“If I were to direct the next Godzilla movie, I would like to do a sequel to this one,” he said. “There have been two standalone Godzilla films in a row now, so perhaps the next one will need to feature a villain monster.”

Godzilla’s first canonical opponent was overgrown ankylosaurus Anguirus, however, Minus One exists in its own rebooted continuity. As such, Yamazaki is free to cherry-pick the kaiju of his choice from Toho’s legendary stable.

Godzilla Minus One roars its way to the Oscars

Before Godzilla takes down any of his fellow beasties, he’ll first have to fend off the competition at the 96th Academy Awards. Godzilla Minus One is the first entry in the franchise to land an Oscar nomination, scoring a nod in the Best Visual Effects category.

Its competition for the award includes The Creator, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, and Napoleon. We’ll find out the winner when the Oscars ceremony airs on March 10.