Godzilla vs Megaguiras (2001)

Plot: The year is 2001, an even more powerful Godzilla, King of the Monsters, marches on Osaka and Tokyo unopposed. In response, humanity plans to pull Godzilla into a black hole in order to destroy him; with the release of the greatest Anti-G weapon ever conceived "The Dimension Tide." This "G-Eradication Operation" will decide the ultimate fate of mankind!

News:

4 May, 2000

Below is a translated copy of Toho's press release concerning their next Godzilla movie. It does contain some spoilers so don't read it if you don't want to know.

New title conceived!

GODZILLA X (vs.) MEGAGUIRAS: G-ERADICATION OPERATION
Opens December 16th (Saturday)
Producer: Shogo Tomiyama
Special Visual Effects: Kenji Suzuki*
Director: Masaaki Tezuka
Produced by Toho Motion Picture Company
© 2000 Toho - Toho Motion Picture Company
*Kenji Suzuki is not a Special Visual Effects Director-that is a honorific title that must be earned. Teruyoshi Nakano did not earn that credit until SUBMERSION OF JAPAN (1973), and Koichi Kawakita gained in 1984 with SAYONARA JUPITER.

Notes
SEE! SUPER DRAGONFLY MEGAGUIRAS TRANSFORM THREE-FOLD!
SEE! THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON EVER CONCEIVED!!
SEE! GODZILLA ANNIHILATED!!!

The year is 2001, an even more powerful Godzilla, King of the Monsters, marches on Osaka and Tokyo unopposed. In response, humanity plans to pull Godzilla into a black hole in order to destroy him; with the release of the greatest Anti-G weapon ever conceived "The Dimension Tide." This "G-Eradication Operation" will decide the ultimate fate of mankind!

In the first experiment, ancient insects (similar to the "Meganuron") appear from another dimension, and swarm Tokyo. The Shibuya ward becomes flooded, and humans are relentlessly attacked. These life forms, now called the "Meganura," eventually metamorphose by feeding on Godzilla's energy, and these results in a colossal Meganuron-the 55 meter "Megaguiras" is born!

Tokyo becomes Hell on Earth, as life itself hangs in the balance, in this three pronged struggle between Godzilla, Megaguiras, and Humanity-who will survive? This is the 24th entry in the long-running series, and boldly thrusts this new Godzilla production into the next century!

GODZILLA X MEGAGUIRAS: G-ERADICATION OPERATION Production Report
Producer Shogo Tomiyama

From GODZILLA 2000: MILLENNIUM to GODZILLA X MEGAGUIRAS: G-ERADICATION OPERATION

GODZILLA 2000: MILLENNIUM is now part of a legacy in the last 15 years of Godzilla films, which comprises GODZILLA (1984), the "Revived VS. Series," and the 1998 American GODZILLA; now a new Godzilla series is about to begin planning. This production will utilize the latest techniques to "combine character and visual image to bring a new Godzilla to the fore; this will be the greatest Godzilla ever" brought to motion pictures.

While the American Godzilla was easily defeated by humanity, everyone knows that the Japanese Godzilla is the "Immortal Destroyer," who possesses the greatest screen presence in all of motion picture history. This film will make that presence even stronger for audiences. This is designed to make his appearance, combat, and duels-these three elements-create a more impressive and ultimate Godzilla. So impressive will he be, that audiences will be moved to say "Now, that's really Godzilla!," as the monster strides across the screen. This is the new production, GODZILLA X MEGAGUIRAS: G-ERADICATION OPERATION.

GODZILLA 2000: MILLENNIUM was the first film in the last 15 years to take the strongest lead in creating a new image, a new start. This new film will bring more of Godzilla's mysteries from fiction, into the real world. Although we live in the real world, it will now become the new world for Godzilla. Continuing from the last production are the combo of Kashiwabara and Mimura, who once again are spreading their wings of fantasy. Godzilla's design is also carried over from the previous production, but will have new aspects of the character explored, and there will be more understanding of his motivations.

This is the first step into a new Godzilla world through the new century, which will challenge the old. Godzilla's mysterious powers and abilities will also be brought to the forefront for the first time.

NEW ASPECTS

What is the "G-Eradication Operation"?

The year is 2001. In response to Godzilla's repeated attacks on Japan, a new and powerful Anti-Godzilla weapon is produced, which creates a "Micro Black Hole" into which Godzilla will disappear. Totally the invention of movie magic, this weapon is hoped to be pitted against Godzilla by the Godzilla Task Force (aka the "G-Graspers")'s female commander. Captain Kiriko develops the weapon while scouting the research of a brilliant scientist named Endo, who hopes to finally eliminate Godzilla in an operation dubbed "Mission: Dimension Tide."

What is the "Megaguiras"?

The antagonist in this new Godzilla production is the queen of an evolving colony of insect monsters (super dragonfly: Megaguiras). The inaugural land-based experiment of the Dimension Tide (a inter-dimensional stream created by a "Black Hole Cannon" on an artificial satellite), opens a "dimensional gate," allowing for an invasion by huge insect monsters.

From the egg to the 2 meter larvae (Meganuron), the creatures natural instinct is to create a hive, and they choose Shibuya to create their nest (the Meganurons first appeared in the 1956 production of RODAN). The Meganurons soon grow into winged 5 meter long "Meganuras," and begin to drain energy from a number of sources-all to feed their queen. By amassing a great storage of energy, they are able to birth the colossal 50 meter long, 55-meter wing spanned battle beast, Megaguiras.

Staff and Production Schedule

Taking the reigns of this new Godzilla film is Masaaki Tezuka, former Chief assistant director of Toho's great Kon Ichikawa (THE HARP OF BURMA). Mr. Tezuka has many a strong sense for striking visual imagery, and this is debut as a director. The special visual effects are once again being helmed by Kenji Suzuki. We hope this new combination promises creates a powerful team.

The script was finalized and approved on April 7th. Now, character design and story boards are being developed under the direction of veteran Shiji Nishikawa. The suits are being handled by Shinichi Wakasa, and the suit acting is once again performed by Tsutomu Kitagawa (a member of the Japan Action Club). Principal Photography commences in May, the film will wrap in August, and will be completed in October.

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