Could Anyone See Toho Create A Modern Showa Era?

[JVM]

It really wouldn't work. It was a special era, and I just that kind of unique magic can be recaptured with a modern film.

[SuperSaiyan4Godzilla]

A modern Showa era would be skreeonk stupid.

Goddamn dude, you really are having a bad day huh? Seriously, chill the skreeonk out.

Actually, that's more or less my opinion. Of course, what part of the Showa period are you aiming for? The early films would work because they could be translated into modern films easily. Anything after '65 or so wouldn't.

[Tohosaurus]

Actually, that's more or less my opinion. Of course, what part of the Showa period are you aiming for? The early films would work because they could be translated into modern films easily. Anything after '65 or so wouldn't.

I think most people are simply referring to being campy and "fun" oriented as opposed to dark and serious rather than capturing the exact spirit of whatever grouping of Showa films. At least that's what I mean. Maybe I'm misinterpreting others. I wouldn't expect to capture the exact spirit but something along those lines would still be fun.

Some of the post-65 stuff wouldn't work, I agree. But I think some of it would as well. A giant series end epic a la DAM (properly done GFW anyone?) would only make sense. The Hedorah idea of a pollution based movie would absolutely work today given all of our issues with various forms of pollution, deforestation, water shortages, and billions of other issues that could be used to create some sort of kaiju. Toho went that route kinda-sorta again in 1997 with RoM2. Gigan is just an alien monster movie and the aliens along with Gigan are about all that would remain in any sort of "remake". Ditto Mechagodzilla's saga from 74-75. But yeah, something like Megalon would be harder to pull off.

[Megalon-5]

I think a much more lighthearted area in tone with the early 60's could work. It's got some good themes in it and it's not too campy, nor too serious. if Toho decided to embrace those themes, albeit a bit altered, I think a modern Showa era could work out. Then again, that's just me. I could see Megalon being some sort of alien creature in some sort of Godzilla vs. Gigan remake.

But if they decided to go the campy route, I'd prefer to see a new Zone Fighter or Jet Jaguar TV show featuring some crazy Showa elements in them.

[DaveTheAnalyzer]

I think there should be a wedding between Showa, and either the Heisei or Millenium eras if it can't be replicated. Sure, dramatic moments should remain dramatic, but there could be scenes where the characters lampshade how ridiculous this all is. For example, have clips of comedians like Stephen Colbert from that universe having a fauxrivalry with Mothra.

[SuperSaiyan4Godzilla]

Actually, that's more or less my opinion. Of course, what part of the Showa period are you aiming for? The early films would work because they could be translated into modern films easily. Anything after '65 or so wouldn't.

I think most people are simply referring to being campy and "fun" oriented as opposed to dark and serious rather than capturing the exact spirit of whatever grouping of Showa films. At least that's what I mean. Maybe I'm misinterpreting others. I wouldn't expect to capture the exact spirit but something along those lines would still be fun.

Some of the post-65 stuff wouldn't work, I agree. But I think some of it would as well. A giant series end epic a la DAM (properly done GFW anyone?) would only make sense. The Hedorah idea of a pollution based movie would absolutely work today given all of our issues with various forms of pollution, deforestation, water shortages, and billions of other issues that could be used to create some sort of kaiju. Toho went that route kinda-sorta again in 1997 with RoM2. Gigan is just an alien monster movie and the aliens along with Gigan are about all that would remain in any sort of "remake". Ditto Mechagodzilla's saga from 74-75. But yeah, something like Megalon would be harder to pull off.

Most of the ideas and concepts would work today, yeah.

The general theme of the later Showa period, with its campyness and child-focused movies won't work too well. Toho isn't a Pixar. They can't make a film that appeals to children and adults.

[Tohosaurus]

Most of the ideas and concepts would work today, yeah.

The general theme of the later Showa period, with its campyness and child-focused movies won't work too well. Toho isn't a Pixar. They can't make a film that appeals to children and adults.

Yup.

That's why I kind of liked the idea of having Godzilla Junior with his own young audience-centric mini franchise or TV series with Godzilla taking over his more teens-to-middle age zone.

[Bret]

Most of the ideas and concepts would work today, yeah.

The general theme of the later Showa period, with its campyness and child-focused movies won't work too well. Toho isn't a Pixar. They can't make a film that appeals to children and adults.

Yup.

That's why I kind of liked the idea of having Godzilla Junior with his own young audience-centric mini franchise or TV series with Godzilla taking over his more teens-to-middle age zone.

So you mean like Godzilla doing some ActivON commericals?

[Rody]

The general theme of the later Showa period, with its campyness and child-focused movies won't work too well. Toho isn't a Pixar. They can't make a film that appeals to children and adults.

Well, Jun Fukuda could. Of course, he's passed on by now, so that point is kind of moot.

[DaveTheAnalyzer]

That's why I kind of liked the idea of having Godzilla Junior with his own young audience-centric mini franchise or TV series with Godzilla taking over his more teens-to-middle age zone.

This reminds me of some idea of a Godzooky spinoff (wait, stop sharpening those knives there) where he bonds with the nephew Pete and goes through all the trials of a child bonded with a giant monster would experience. For example, being barred with school, which would be cool for Pete until he realizes the friends made there can no longer be contacted. It'd still be hopeful and shows the world of monsters is still awesome, but yeah...there'd be conflict.

(My image of Godzooky here would be a size upgrade and a toning down of his sometimes irritating and clumsy nature, which would be worked through via character development)

[Living Corpse]

I said it once, I'll say it again, give us back Monster Island.

[Megalon-5]

I said it once, I'll say it again, give us back Monster Island.

This needs to happen so much. Monster Island was one of the coolest concepts in the series and Toho doesn't really explore it more. I'd honestly love to see a film set on the island itself or something about relocating the monsters to the island.

Back to the TV show idea, I'd love to see an updated Zone Fighter TV show or Jet Jaguar show about them taking on the classic Toho monsters.

[Legion1979]

I said it once, I'll say it again, give us back Monster Island.

This needs to happen so much. Monster Island was one of the coolest concepts in the series and Toho doesn't really explore it more.

Exactly. Why not just make a movie where the monsters already exist and live on Monster Island? Then you can really do whatever you want with whatever monster you want.

[Megalon-5]

Exactly. Why not just make a movie where the monsters already exist and live on Monster Island? Then you can really do whatever you want with whatever monster you want.

I know right? I just want the monsters to be there. Do we really need another explanation for the monster's origin every movie? We know who these characters are, so having them be involved in a plot should be simple.

But Toho doesn't think that way and we always need a retread of how they came to be. I'm not saying revealing a monster's origin is a bad thing, but I just don't want a 45 minute lecture on how Godzilla came to be by dropping a dinosaur soaky in water and having it grow overnight. That's what I really liked about the Showa monsters, they had simple origins compared to the crazy and complicated ones found in the later series.

[Legion1979]

Tsuburaya seems to know exactly what they need to do when it comes to their monsters. While not exactly the same as Monster Island, The Monster Graveyard is a fantastic idea. As shown in the first Ultra Galaxy movie, it allows all the past Ultra monsters to appear without their origins needing to be explained. You want Bemstar, Salamdora and Dorako to just show up? There they are. No explanation needed. Toho's monsters are - debatebly - far more well known, so it seems silly to keep reintroducing them and over-explaining their origins. Why not do a movie where the monsters are already status quo but contained in same way so that, aside from the space creatures, you have an easy excuse to group together as many monsters as you want.

[Megalon-5]

I've heard about the Monster Graveyard being a plot point in the recent Ultraman series/movies. I think the idea of such a place is a very interesting one. Tsuburaya really knows how to handle their monsters compared to Toho.

I'd like to see something with the monster status quo being established instead of various explanations happening every time they appear. I'd love to see a movie that has Godzilla "defending" Japan from various other monsters like Baragon, Ebirah, Gaira, the Yog trio, Magma, basically all the "simple" monsters and have the plot revolve around the idea that the population views Godzilla differently. The military views him as a threat, while the public views him as a hero, but he really doesn't care for the humans and is protecting his territory. I think it'd be a nice throwback to the 60's films and would put an interesting twist on the anti-hero angle Godzilla's had in the last couple years.

But Toho's not ever gonna take risks like that sadly.

[Killswitch]

We will be lucky to get three films out of LP. Especially considering the high budgets. I expect Toho to be player after LP is finished. CGI gets better & cheaper every year, so it will be easier for Toho to make these types of films.

I love 60's Showa, and the 70's had a good imagination. So I'm all for a Showa re-boot.

[Goji]

Actually, we'll be lucky to get one Godzilla film from LP.

[Tohosaurus]

Actually, we'll be lucky to get one Godzilla film from LP.

I'm pretty sure we'll see at least one. Legendary probably spent decent money to secure the rights and all of the associated work to just let it all slide away. Of course, I could be wrong ...

[Killswitch]

LP will deliver. But, I wouldn't be surprised if this project & team are scrapped, and LP has to start over from scratch.