Lost Project Discussion: Godzilla vs Hitodah (1972)

[Tohosaurus]

It seems to me that the eventual project Godzilla vs Gigan was the better decision. The potential was actually there for an interesting movie, but Hedorah is iconic in its own right, as is Gigan the monster and movie.

From the main site again:

Plot
A starfish living in the sea mutates into a giant monster after heavy exposure to pollution. The creature eventually ends up battling Godzilla.

Background
After Yoshimitsu Banno finished directing Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971), Banno begun work on creating another installment in the Godzilla series. Like his first Godzilla movie, Banno had wanted the next film to have a strong message against pollution. Banno scraped the idea however and started coming up with a different Godzilla film Godzilla vs. Hedorah 2.

Note, the name Hitodah was not the Kajiu's real name, the creature was unnamed when the idea was scrapped. The name Hitodah originates from the word 'Hitode' which is starfish in Japanese. Also no picture or concept art of Hitodah exists, the above concept was created by the Toho Kingdom and is not the original intent of director Yoshimitsu Banno.

[TokyoVigilante]

I have alot of issues with Godzilla vs. Hedorah, so while I'm glad the film exists I wouldn't want to have two of the damned things.

[Lord Gappa]

Sounds too much like a remake for Hedorah. I find the idea of a mutated starfish fighting Godzilla interesting, though.

[Living Corpse]

Why use a starfish when we already have Dogora? Just have Godzilla fight him.

[Tohosaurus]

I'm curious as to whether or not the Hitodah film was going to be as funky and weird as Hedorah.

[Crazy Jim Films]

I have alot of issues with Godzilla vs. Hedorah, so while I'm glad the film exists I wouldn't want to have two of the damned things.

Yeah. I think "Smog Monster" works because it is so different from the other films in the series. I don't think it would have worked as a consistent new direction though.

[edgaguirus]

While the idea of a monster starfish is interesting, the film sounds like Hedorah retread.

[King Caesar]

I would've liked to seen it, but not at the cost of losing Godzilla vs Gigan. The first versions of GvG (with Majin Tuol and Mogu) are pretty neat though)

[Bentley]

Yeah, while this would'be been interesting -if it was different enough than the Smog Monster-, the sheer cost of not having Gigan around is absurdly high to even consider.

[Dave McDave]

I always loved Godzilla vs Gigan except for the fact that King Ghidorah was in it; the film just seemed to make him weaker than in previous entries. Here's this dread king from the great expanse of space, able to take on multiple kaiju and easily beat even the great Godzilla one on one, but teams with Gigan he couldn't even beat Big G and Anguirus!!

However, the plot to Hitodah would have provided a great alturnative; imagine the mutant Starfish and the clockwork cockerel joining forces; it would have been great as a sequel while progressing the series and not making King Ghidorah seem weaker as I feel he does...

[FlamingZilla23]

I would have enjoyed seeing this movie. I mean who wouldn't like to see an overgrown dinosaur fighting a giant sea star because i would. Plus i wonder what "Hitodah" real name would be? Starorah.

[Tamura]

A search for ゴジラ対ヒトダ on Google brings up nothing. Is this actually legit?

[Dave McDave]

Anyone know what Hitodah's powers would be, or could speculate at least?

[Living Corpse]

No, because it never went any further then just a concept.