Thursday, June 20, 2013

Legendary Signs Up Godzilla Licensees

by Armand Vaquer


It appears the "hottest" news on the 2014 Legendary Pictures Godzilla movie is that licensees have been signed up for movie tie-in products.

According to Licensing.biz:
Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) has signed master toy partner Bandai America Incorporated for 2014 movie Godzilla. 
Bandai will release action figures and play-sets inspired by the film from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, which hits cinemas on May 16th next year. 
Additional licensees include NECA with gifts and novelties; Jakks Pacific with large scale figures; Bioworld with on-trend apparel; and Sideshow Collectibles with authentic statues.

Hopefully, this time the U.S.-produced Godzilla will be a critical (especially with the fans) and financial success and the licensees aren't left "holding the bag" of unsold merchandise like the last time (i.e., with the Sony/Tri-Star disaster of 1998).  If they stray too much away from the look and actions of the Japanese Godzilla, there will likely be a repeat of the 1998 experience.

For this to work, Godzilla has to look and act like Godzilla, besides having a good script.

To read more, go here.



Friday, June 7, 2013

"Godzilla To Raid Indianapolis" News Release

Above, Haruo Nakajima (left) will be joined by Armand Vaquer at the 
Days of the Dead convention in Indianapolis July 5-7.
Godzilla To Raid Indianapolis

Tarzana, CA - June 7, 2012 - Haruo Nakajima, the original Godzilla suit actor from 1954 to 1972, will appear at the Days of the Dead convention July 5-7 at the Wyndham Indianapolis West hotel.

Armand Vaquer, author of "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan," will be also attending the Days of the Dead convention. He will be assisting Nakajima and will be selling "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan" in the vendors room.

"Haruo Nakajima has been a great convention guest in past years who enjoys meeting his fans. He began his career as an actor and stuntman in samurai and war movies and the producers of Godzilla movies took note of his stamina when they were looking for someone to don the heavy rubber monster suits," said Vaquer. "He and I will be in the vendors room where fans can obtain autographs and photos from him and also get "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.""

"The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan" is the world's first and only Japan travel guide to monster movie locations and landmarks.

The Wyndham Indianapolis West is located at 2544 Executive Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana.

For additional information on the Days of the Dead convention, go to the official website at www.daysofthedead.net.
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"LEGENDARY PICTURES TO DEVELOP AND PRODUCE MAJOR MOTION PICTURE BASED ON TOHO COMPANY’S ICONIC MONSTER, GODZILLA

Burbank, CA – March 29, 2010 – Legendary Pictures announced today that they will develop and produce a new film based on Toho Company’s famed GODZILLA character. Through the terms of the agreement, Legendary Pictures has acquired the rights to produce a movie inspired by Toho’s Godzilla, a franchise the Japanese company created and has nurtured for over fifty years.

Toho’s GODZILLA franchise boasts one of the most widely recognized film creatures worldwide, resulting in a series of books, television programs, video games and more than 25 films worldwide. Legendary intends to approach the film and its characters in the most authentic manner possible. The company will, in the near future, announce a filmmaker to helm the film for an intended 2012 release. The film will fall under the company’s co-production and co-financing deal with Warner Bros. Toho will distribute the film in Japan."

"Godzilla" is coming back -- this time, with Legendary Pictures taking the lead, co-producing and co-financing with Warner Bros. for release in 2012.

Legendary announced Monday it had obtained rights to the iconic monster character from Japan's Toho Co., which has overseen more than 25 "Godzilla" films. Toho will release the pic in Japan.

Legendary said it's planning to announce a director shortly.

In addition to Legendary, producers on the new film will be Dan Lin, Roy Lee and Brian Rogers. Yoshimitsu Banno, Kenji Okuhira and Doug Davison will exec produce.

"Godzilla is one of the world's most powerful pop culture icons, and we at Legendary are thrilled to be able to create a modern epic based on this long-loved Toho franchise," said Thomas Tull, Chairman and CEO of Legendary. "Our plans are to produce the Godzilla that we, as fans, would want to see. We intend to do justice to those essential elements that have allowed this character to remain as pop-culturally relevant for as long as it has."

Legendary noted the film will fall under its co-production and co-financing deal with Warner Bros. Legendary's productions with Warners have included "The Dark Knight," "300" and "The Hangover."

Speculation about a new "Godzilla" has been active since last summer. The Bloody Disgusting web site reported in August that the project was in development.