Get Ready for Godzilla's Next Big Showdown: 'Godzilla Minus Zero'

Hey there, Godzilla fans! Famed Japanese film studio Toho just let the monstrous cat - or should we say radioactive reptile?! - out of the bag. The name of the next installment in the Godzilla series? Gird yourselves, 'cause it's "Godzilla Minus Zero"! The big reveal happened at the much-acclaimed Godzilla Fest in Tokyo. The fact that the photogenic beast is lacing up for another cinematic showdown was confirmed way back on Toho’s official X account.

"Godzilla Minus Zero" is set to follow in the grand (and heavily footprinted!) footsteps of its predecessor "Godzilla Minus One," which made quite a splash back in 2023. It's going to be a reunion, folks! The dream team (director, writer, and VFX supervisor Yamazaki Takashi in control, VFX by Shirogumi, and production managed by the dynamic duo of Toho Studios and Robot) orchestrating this delightful cinematic chaos is the same crew that brought us the monumental "Godzilla Minus One".

Now let's not shy away from showering the praise that "Minus One" deserved. It proved a box-office bonanza, raking in a whopping JPY7.65 billion ($50 million) in Japan alone. And when it flew west, it whipped up an impressive $56 million. But its crowning glory came at the 96th Academy Awards, where it bagged an Oscar for best visual effects – a first in Godzilla history and a moment of huge pride for Japanese film. As monstrous money-makers go, it’s set a high standard for "Minus Zero".

Let's just take a moment to appreciate the delightful journey Godzilla has taken us on since 1954. From a grim metaphor for nuclear ruin in Ishirō Honda's original “Godzilla,” this extraordinary and utterly unique character has grown into a beloved cultural mainstay. With 33 live-action films under its colossal belt, brought to life by Toho's diligent teams across the Showa, Heisei, Millennium, and Reiwa eras, we've been truly, wonderfully spoiled. And we'd be remiss not to acknowledge the extra five goodies gifted to us by American studios, including Legendary's rip-roaring MonsterVerse.

Cast your minds back to "Godzilla Minus One", where Kamiki Ryunosuke brought the character Shikishima Koichi to life, a post-WWII kamikaze survivor grappling with PTSD that’s triggered again when Godzilla returns. The tale of veterans and soldiers having to stare down the beast, for yet another showdown, was an unmissable spectacle. In fact, all we know about "Minus Zero" is that it seems to tease a continuation of Jake's "Minus" series, implying a massive reset with its "Zero" title. But hold onto your seats, because the suspenseful wait for the next Godzilla classic is just heating up!