Finally some good "Pacific Rim" news

I found a great article that showcases new info on the "Pacific Rim" film coming in 2013.

This is of course the new movie from Guillermo Del Toro that is so super secret, you probably need Secret Service clearance just to even describe it.

In any case screenrant.com has gathered the best info yet, which I'm reporting here because such a film could influence our Godzilla movie.

This movie is heavy competition for the King of the Monsters, and no doubt Toho and Legendary Pictures are looking at it as a precursor of sorts.

If it's a huge success that's good news for Godzilla. This could launch a new era of Kaiju-like movies, something we'll all be happy to see.

If it bombs miserably...well that can never be a good sign.

In any case here's the best synopsis I've seen of the film, courtesy of screenrant.com:

A sci-fi/action tale set in the twelfth year of a deadly war between humans and gigantic alien creatures who enter our world by crossing through an inter-dimensional portal located in the Pacific Ocean. The inhabitants of Earth battle their Godzilla-like opponents via the use of massive mechanical suits – ones that are even more sophisticated in design than those glimpsed in previous sci-fi titles (see: Aliens, The Matrix Revolutions, and Avatar).

Sounds great!

For further info about the film, including who's been cast in it, be sure to check out this direct link to screenrant.com:

screenrant.com: More Pacific Rilm film news

Godzilla Play still showcasing in Alaska

A couple of weeks back I had reported on a Godzilla-themed Play being showcased within the cold tundra of Alaska, titled "The Big Guy".

This was written by Tom Moran and acted by David Haynes, where "Godzilla" is shown contemplating over saving and destroying cities.

A new article just came out regarding this play, only this time they finally showcased the Godzilla play in action.

Yes you're looking at David Haynes dressed as "Godzilla", stomping through a minimalist carbon-copy background of a town and reaching to swat a paper helicopter.

Well the play is still going on, so if you happen to be near Fairbanks Alaska anytime soon (all one of you) I encourage you to check it out as it still looks interesting.

I love plays and always give them a chance, regardless of how they look up front.

One of the best plays I've ever seen was "A Bronx Tale" by Chazz Palmentari, and it was literally him standing in front of a few props for 2 hours.

But boy were those 2 hours fantastic. Outstanding play.

In any case here's the original article for further info:

newsminer.com: ‘Big Wild Comedy’ brings Fairbanks playwright’s work home

A Godzilla toy makes the 2011 "10 Worst Toys" List

Who knew Godzilla toys were now dangerous?

Apparently W.A.T.C.H. (World Against Toys Causing Harm) creates an annual list of the top 10 worst toys currently in the market.

They rate these toys based on how dangerous they could be to children.

The key word is "could" as these toys have the "potential" to create harm.

It's not that any of them have actually harmed any children, or that there have already been cases of children being harmed...it's more of a precaution of sorts.

Making the top 10 list is the "Godzilla Bandai 12 Inch Deluxe Classic Figure Gigan", which you can see pictured above.

As the W.A.T.C.H. website describes: "W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This “12[-inch] Classic Godzilla Figure”, referenced on the packaging as the character “Gigan”, features rigid, pointed fins and wings, as well as sharp, dagger-like attachments on its arms. Such unforgiving, plastic protrusions present the potential for penetrating and impact injuries."

Whether the group is right or wrong on this toy Toho has not placed any recalls, which is their right to not do so.

In either case I think the toy looks amazing, and is definitely something to get for any Godzilla fan out there.  For children at a certain age please be advised.

Here's the original article to see the entire Top 10 list:

toysafety.org: 2011 10 Worst Toys list

Godzilla (2014?) now has even more competition

With the latest Godzilla movie coming sometime in the near future (presumably 2014), it's no secret that other giant monster movies are also being developed.

There's the super-secret "Pacific Rim" film from Guillermo Del Toro, a project so secret nobody knows anything except a potential theme (giant monsters on an island).

There's the potential "Cloverfield 2" that J.J. Abrams and co. have repeatedly said could be done if the story is right.

Now comes word that New Line Cinema (owned by Warner Brothers, who are also developing the aforementioned "Godzilla" and "Pacific Rim") is bringing the classic game "Rampage" to the big screen.

Wow, it's going to be a giant monster movie mash within the next few years!

Producer John Rickard is meeting with writers to bring this film forward, with the idea that all three classic monsters (the ape, the werewolf and the Godzilla-like lizard) will appear.

Great news.

They're also planning on doing this on a smaller budget, perhaps in the same vein as "Cloverfield".

I'll be honest and state that I really look forward to this project.

I loved playing the video game at the arcade, and can see it working well on the big screen.

Who wouldn't want to see three giant monsters creating havoc throughout various cities!

Here's the original article for further info:

hollywoodreporter.com: Rampage film to be developed by New Line Cinema

I also found some classic arcade gameplay here. Enjoy!:

Weird Godzilla toy...part 16

I think the enclosed image says it all when it comes to how weird this toy is.

Apparently there's a Godzilla childrens Storybook
out there that features such bizarre imagery.

While I realize children's books have to be made a certain way...did it have to involve making Godzilla cute?

I mean look at Godzilla and Anguirus.

They're like two little kittens resting on top of each other, each ready to go to sleep.

And the added rhyming is the cherry on the top, with Godzilla ready to eat and roar at the same time.

I bet whoever had to draw this book knew it was all just for a paycheck.

I tried to find the front cover for this toy but I couldn't, but that doesn't mean that this weird toy isn't out there somewhere.

Godzilla face palm

So funny I just had to post it!

Dean Devlin Talks About the Failure of His 'Godzilla' 1998 Script

Back in June Bloodydisgusting.com interviewed Dean Devlin as he was receiving an award for his career accomplishments.

(Dean Devlin of course being the producer of the much maligned, but still cited, 1998 Godzilla film).

He gave some pretty candid responses about what went wrong with the film, primarily blaming himself as the writer of the movie.

He strongly felt it was the story that failed the movie, and I tend to agree with this assessment.

To quote Dean directly, "The problem was the script! I made some big errors in that script. I wish I hadn't, I wish I had a chance to fix it".

I mean the action was great, the special effects were fantastic, the acting was about as decent as needed...it was the story that never really gave you anybody to root for.

I specifically recall the ending and wondering if I should root for Godzilla being destroyed? Or for the heroes killing a tragic monster like Godzilla? Or for the egg being hatched in Madison Square Garden?

You see what I mean.

I highly recommend everyone to look at this interview as it provides good insight into his thoughts on this movie...and on the new one being developed by Legendary Pictures.

Here's the original link:

bloodydisgusting.com: Dean Devlin talks about the failure of his Godzilla 1998 Script

Interesting side-note is the revelation that one of the producers within the 1998 film, Bill Fay, will also be a producer within this new Godzilla movie!

Small world.

Legendary Gets 'Godzilla'-sized Pitch

Bloodydisgusting.com has a bit more info to provide when it comes to this new Godzilla movie and its new writer.

As I had previously chronicled in my last YouTube video (seen here) new writer Max Borenstein has been hired to take a shot at the script.

I noted that this makes writer number 3 on this project (writer number 4 if one counts any input from writer/director Gareth Edwards) as the previous two were David Goyer and David Callaham.

The article though states (from an insider) that the reason for this is because Toho and Legendary Pictures are trying their best to "crack the code" for this movie.

I.e. create a successful reboot that seems fresh and new (in order to bring in new Godzilla fans) while still paying homage to the past Godzilla movies and its fans.

No easy task for certain.

As I mentioned in my past video, I'm glad Legendary Pictures and Co. are taking yet another shot at the story, as it proves they truly want the best story done before actually developing the movie.

Such a tactic was sorely missed within the Godzilla 1998 film, and much potential was lost thereafter.

Here's the original article for further information:

bloodydisgusting.com: Legendary Gets 'Godzilla'-sized pitch

Great "Godzilla Legends #1" preview now available

Comicbookresources.com now has a great preview for the first issue of this new Godzilla series
.

They include all 3 covers for the first issue and its beginning eight pages too, which showcase interior artwork by popular Godzilla artist Matt Frank.

Thus far things look great.

Matt seems to do really good interior pages, which is important as drawing actual comic book pages (as compared to only covers) truly determines the merit of an artist.

I can't wait to pick it up at my local comic book store the next time I'm there.

It's good to also see Destroyah confirmed for this issue, as IDW has a habit of showcasing characters on their covers that don't necessarily show up within the comic.

Here's the original link for the preview:

comicbookresources.com: Godzilla Legends #1 preview

Godzilla Movie News: Godzilla (2014?) to have yet another writer/rewrite

Here I examine the news that Max Borenstein has been hired to rewrite this Godzilla
movie.

Godzilla Is On a Litigation Rampage Over Honda Commercial

Don't say I didn't warn you Honda.

The Godzilla/Toho Lawyers are at it again, this time suing Honda over what they consider to be an infringement of their copyrighted Godzilla character.

A Godzilla
image appears within a new Honda Odyssey commercial for only a second or so (enough to miss if you blink it), but the Toho lawyers still think that's enough to sue over.

Apparently Toho was never contacted for permission and so their lawyers have once again sued another company for a settlement.

Disclosures on the settlement weren't announced but the damage was clearly done already.

Anyone who's followed my earlier report on these stories (seen here) knows how quickly these lawyers act on any infringement of Godzilla's trademarks/copyrights.

They have a well known history on this, so it's always surprising to see other companies still not learning this lesson.

Here's the original article discussing further details about Honda's predicament:

hollywoodreporter.com: Godzilla is on a litigation rampage over a Honda Commercial

And if you wanted to see the commercial itself, you'll find it right here: