Shin Godzilla Director Breaks Silence on Possible Sequel (Exclusive)

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After numerous years of debate, director Shinji Higuchi of the 2016 blockbuster hit “Shin Godzilla” has opened up about the potential for a sequel during an exclusive interview with TopMob at San Diego Comic-Con 2025. Higuchi candidly discussed his interest in helming another installment in the series, which followed the critically acclaimed reboot he co-directed alongside Hideaki Anno before the release of “Godzilla Minus One” in 2023.

At San Diego Comic-Con 2025, Toho International made a big impact with their grand “Godzilla at 70: Seven Decades of the King of the Monsters” event, which was led by the co-director of “Shin Godzilla,” Shinji Higuchi.

Although no groundbreaking sequel news was shared, fans got a delightful tribute to Godzilla through toys, comics, and films. The event included guest appearances by prominent brand partners such as Bandai, Mondo, Super7, and the creators behind IDW and DC’s current Godzilla comic series. The grand finale was an unexpected visit from the actor and avid Godzilla fan, O’Shea Jackson Jr., fondly known as the “King of the Monsters” star.

In the time leading up to San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), there was an announcement made about a 4K theatrical rerelease of the movie “Shin Godzilla“, which will be available in the United States starting August 14, distributed by GKIDS.

In simpler terms, during the event, Higuchi stood on stage to ponder over the enduring impact of the 2016 movie. Earlier, he had shared his thoughts (exclusively) with TopMob about the possibility of reprising his role in a potential sequel.

Regrettably, it appears that Higuchi might not be eager to rejoin the Godzilla franchise as he expressed a preference for attending Comic-Con, shopping for toys, and playing instead.

To be honest, creating a sequel would mean a significant increase in workload for me. Instead, I’d rather enjoy myself at Comic-Con, perhaps by purchasing some toys and playing with them. As a result, I’m unsure what themes I might explore in a potential sequel.

Although no news surfaced regarding a sequel for “Shin Godzilla,” Higuchi was eager to talk about the upcoming 4K re-release of the original movie in cinemas. When queried about what viewers might anticipate from the improved version, the director highlighted that the appearance of the old politicians’ skin had been significantly upgraded.

There might be varying reactions to this from diverse global audiences, but I can assure you that during the remastering and upscaling phase, a noticeable improvement is apparent. The details on the older characters, particularly the politicians in boardrooms, are now much more distinct, giving them a more lifelike appearance.

Delving a little deeper, I drew a parallel between his performance in The Lighthouse and the “gold standard” he established when we embarked on refining everyone’s appearance. As a movie enthusiast, this is something that truly stood out to me.

As for me, I might not assume you’ve seen the A24 film titled “The Lighthouse“, starring the talented William Defoe. Yet, his performance in that movie serves as a standard we strive to meet when enhancing every single texture during our remastering process.

In discussing the creative process for Shin Godzilla, Higuchi underscored the significance of preserving the series’ heritage. He put it simply as, “The 1954 original Godzilla has greatly influenced us.

It’s clear that our creation has deep roots in the past, particularly drawing inspiration from the iconic 1954 film “Godzilla”. Needless to say, its design is significantly influenced by this classic.

He explained that while the final design was intense, earlier concepts “were even worse:”  

Although you mentioned some disturbing physical transformation aspects, certain designs in the early stages were even more unsettling. Originally, Godzilla was symbolic of an atomic bomb, and there were versions where his skin appeared disfigured or distorted.

In my opinion, after careful consideration, Higuchi wisely toned down some of the film’s more outrageous concepts to find that perfect sweet spot between creative freedom and audience appeal.

The final choice we made wasn’t as extreme as suggested, but it certainly conveyed a similar sentiment or purpose.

The full interview can be seen here:

Tickets are on sale now for Shin Godzilla, hitting domestic theaters on August 14.

The Expanding Godzilla Universe

For the last ten years, there’s been a significant revival of Godzilla, with popular Hollywood movies and well-received Japanese remakes contributing to this comeback.

Legendary Pictures started the Monsterverse with the release of Godzilla, then came King of the Monsters, followed by Godzilla vs. Kong. Currently airing on Apple TV+ is Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, and soon to be released is Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. This revival has ignited discussions about which Godzilla stands the tallest, as several more projects are underway.

Simultaneously, Toho brought new life to the character through Takashi Yamazaki’s film titled “Godzilla Minus One,” a production that garnered international acclaim and was awarded an Oscar for its exceptional visual effects.

Great Clash”. This attraction is now up and running at Tokyo’s Seibuen Amusement Park.

A new installment, serving as a direct continuation, is currently being worked on. Yamazaki will once again take charge of writing, directing, and supervising visual effects. Filming for this project is set to start in Japan in August. Rumors suggest that some major characters might reprise their roles. Although specifics about the storyline are being kept secret, fans are optimistic that the upcoming production will further develop the emotional resonance and intensity that characterized Minus One, making it a renowned worldwide hit.

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2025-08-09 02:13