Shooting continues in Yokohama, Japan on a new "GODZILLA" feature, by the original creators, Toho Co. Ltd.
A durable monster movie franchise that has endured for almost 50 years, the creature born from a nuclear catastrophe is stomping his way back onto the big screen for the 26th time, to destroy a Terminator-like version of himself "MECHAGODZILLA".
Godzilla had previously challenged Mechagodzilla before. Twice in the 1970's and once in 1993.
Executive producer Shogo Tomiyama says the final battle scene will be reminiscent of the early 1960's "GODZILLA" features, with Godzilla saving the human race.
Referred to in Japan as "Gojira," (gorilla/whale), Godzilla first appeared in director Ishiro Honda's 1954 classic, with an actor in a zipped-up rubber suit.
Japan's Toho Studios have budgeted the new film, set in the near-future, at $8.3 million and although Godzilla will appear to be almost 200 feet tall, he is being played by an agile actor in a 110-pound rubber outfit, who has to breathe through a tube.
"Godzilla offers a looking glass on society. That theme runs throughout all the movies," director Masaaki Tezuka says.
MECHAGODZILLA
"MECHAGODZILLA"
aka: 'The Cosmic Monster', 'The Bionic Monster'
Height: 164 feet
Mass: 44,000 tons
Godzilla fight record: 2 wins, 2 losses, 1 tie
Powers/weapons: Laser eyebeams; close attack laser beam from chest; forcefield created by a spinning head; missles in fingers, neck, knees, and toes; flame-thrower in mouth; flight via rockets in feet; space titanium armor
Year of first appearance: 1974, in "Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla"
Origin: Created by aliens to conquer the world.
Mechagodzilla is a monster robot created by a race of "Simeon" ape-faced creatures from the 'Third Planet of the Black Hole'.
Mechagodzilla was originally 'disguised' to appear as the real Godzilla, with a rubber skin fitted over its robot frame. But the skin was torn away by Godzilla, and the remainder melted away by the Simeons, revealing its true appearance.
