Godzilla in the Criterion Collection?!

[TokyoVigilante]

Criterion has done The Blob, Two Lane Blacktop, Fiend without a Face, and Flesh for Frankenstein. Those films hardly have much in the way of legit art house credibility. I mean, unlikely? sure. Criterion covers a huge variety of cinema and releasing two Godzilla films even within a year or so apart would probably be unlikely, but it certainly isn't impossible. Criterion doesn't scoff at them, they're a company that covers a little bit of all ground.

It's also important to note that Criterion almost released the Classic Media set that we know as a Laserdisc set, way back when that was a thing. So them having an interest in these sixties films isn't without precedent and there's no reason for them not to do so again.

[B5Erik]

I don't see them doing another Godzilla movie outside of Gojira. It seems like Criterion always go for critically acclaimed movies and Gojira is the only Godzilla movie on that level.

That's true. Gojira is more than just a monster movie. It's political, it's topical, and it's personal. It's got a depth that the rest of the series didn't have - it's an adult movie through and through.

Criterion has done The Blob, Two Lane Blacktop, Fiend without a Face, and Flesh for Frankenstein. Those films hardly have much in the way of legit art house credibility. I mean, unlikely? sure. Criterion covers a huge variety of cinema and releasing two Godzilla films even within a year or so apart would probably be unlikely, but it certainly isn't impossible. Criterion doesn't scoff at them, they're a company that covers a little bit of all ground.

It's also important to note that Criterion almost released the Classic Media set that we know as a Laserdisc set, way back when that was a thing. So them having an interest in these sixties films isn't without precedent and there's no reason for them not to do so again.

As you say, it's unlikely that Criterion would release any other Godzilla movies. Unless this one sells bucketloads. They have, on occasion, released titles like Armageddon and Chasing Amy just for the sales (the profit from those titles helps them fund the other titles that don't sell so well). I could see them releasing Godzilla 1985/The Return of Godzilla, for example, if they could get the rights and if they could get good prints, but only IF this one sells really, really well. Those are some really big, "If's."

In reality the chance that Criterion does anything further with the Godzilla franchise is pretty much slim and none. Unfortunately.

(They did a fantastic job with Gojira/Godzilla KOTM.)

[Crazy Jim Films]

I don't see them doing another Godzilla movie outside of Gojira. It seems like Criterion always go for critically acclaimed movies and Gojira is the only Godzilla movie on that level.

Michael Bay's Armageddon suggests otherwise.

[Goji]

TokyoVigilante already established that Critereon doesn't always release "Grade A cinema". EQUINOX is another example of this.

[Proofpoochie]

TokyoVigilante already established that Critereon doesn't always release "Grade A cinema". EQUINOX is another example of this.

They also released Antichrist.

[Tamura]

They released a box of B-movies called MONSTERS AND MADMEN, too.

[Captain Aktion]

Is there a chance of new kaiju releases from Criterion? Sure, they've shown us so. Is it a likely chance? No, they've shown us so.

[B34sT]

Well there is a chance that one of Criterion's labels will release The X From Outer Space .

[Rockzilla]

In a dream world Criterion would obtain the entire classic media Godzilla library as well as King Kong vs. Godzilla.

[Rody]

In a dream world, Criterion would probably release EVERY SINGLE ONE of Godzilla's films.

[Sydney Aradi]

In a dream world, Criterion would release Return of Godzilla on DVD along wit its International dub & its American counterpart Godzilla 1985: The Legend is Reborn

[Shōbijin]

In a dream world, Criterion would probably release EVERY SINGLE ONE of Godzilla's films.

Carefully restored copies, all 29 films in one collectors box wich would be an oxygen-destroyer replica.

[Cimmerian Dragon]

I know what I'll be dreaming about tonight...sigh.

[Hellspawn28]

Criterion has done The Blob, Two Lane Blacktop, Fiend without a Face, and Flesh for Frankenstein. Those films hardly have much in the way of legit art house credibility. I mean, unlikely? sure. Criterion covers a huge variety of cinema and releasing two Godzilla films even within a year or so apart would probably be unlikely, but it certainly isn't impossible. Criterion doesn't scoff at them, they're a company that covers a little bit of all ground.

It's also important to note that Criterion almost released the Classic Media set that we know as a Laserdisc set, way back when that was a thing. So them having an interest in these sixties films isn't without precedent and there's no reason for them not to do so again.

Well The Blob did help start Steve McQueen's career and the other two movies you mention have high ratings since Two Lane Blacktop has a 93%. I don't see them releasing another Godzilla movie since I recall Kpa said that they have no plans to release any other Godzilla movies at the moment.

I don't see them doing another Godzilla movie outside of Gojira. It seems like Criterion always go for critically acclaimed movies and Gojira is the only Godzilla movie on that level.

Michael Bay's Armageddon suggests otherwise.

That was back in 1998 when the movie was brand new. I think Bay most likely ask them to release Armageddon and The Rock on DVD at the time?

[Rockzilla]

In a dream world, Criterion would probably release EVERY SINGLE ONE of Godzilla's films.

I think my first post was a more realistic dream world.

[Tohosaurus]

Carefully restored copies, all 29 films in one collectors box wich would be an oxygen-destroyer replica.

And want $700 for it. How I agree yet fear the price.

[omgitsgodzilla]

It's like those ridiculous deluxe box sets bands have been releasing lately of their most famous/sought after/classic albums...

[Crazy Jim Films]

I don't see them doing another Godzilla movie outside of Gojira. It seems like Criterion always go for critically acclaimed movies and Gojira is the only Godzilla movie on that level.

Michael Bay's Armageddon suggests otherwise.

That was back in 1998 when the movie was brand new. I think Bay most likely ask them to release Armageddon and The Rock on DVD at the time?

Okay, so let's assume Bay asked them. Because the movie was "brand new" and the director wanted in that is a justifible exception to the "ciritically-acclaimed" crtieria? Not buying.

[omgitsgodzilla]

I'm guessing, given the extravagant treatment they give a lot of films that are mostly of interest to a bit of a niche market, they weren't making as much money as they'd hoped, so they needed a reliable moneymaker or two to make up for it, even if it meant compromising the whole art film thing a bit.

[Gawdziller]

I'm guessing, given the extravagant treatment they give a lot of films that are mostly of interest to a bit of a niche market, they weren't making as much money as they'd hoped, so they needed a reliable moneymaker or two to make up for it, even if it meant compromising the whole art film thing a bit.

Keith posted an explaination a while back and that was pretty much the reason. The discs sold for Armageddon and the Rock helped fund releases of many other titles.

I do remember reading somewhere that someone at Criterion defended their choice of Armageddon saying something to the effect of "great writing." Have actually seen the movie, I know for a fact that statement was full of shit.