By MICHAEL GINGOLD
Get more of a look at the eagerly awaited creature features.
Toho and GKids have released a new teaser and poster for GODZILLA MINUS ZERO, which roars into North American theaters November 6. The sequel to the Oscar-winning hit GODZILLA MINUS ONE, it’s the first-ever Japanese production to be filmed for IMAX and sees the return of writer/director/visual FX supervisor Takashi Yamazaki. The synopsis: “GODZILLA MINUS ZERO picks up in 1949, two years after the tumultuous events of GODZILLA MINUS ONE and continues the story of the Shikishima family as they face an all-new calamity. Ryunosuke Kamiki returns as Koichi Shikishima, the hero who stood against Godzilla’s terror in GODZILLA MINUS ONE, and is joined by Minami Hamabe as Noriko Shikishima, who miraculously survived Godzilla’s first attack on Tokyo.
“Joining the cast is legendary actor Min Tanaka, celebrated for his unforgettable performance in the 2025 blockbuster Japanese film KOKUHO. In GODZILLA MINUS ZERO, Tanaka will take on the pivotal role of Kanji Murakami, a biologist carrying deep psychological scars from the war. In addition, the full listing of the returning cast from GODZILLA MINUS ONE has been unveiled. Hidetaka Yoshioka reprises his role as Kenji Noda, who fought alongside protagonist Koichi Shikishima in GODZILLA MINUS ONE and now battles the new threat as the director of the Disaster Response Bureau. Yuki Yamada returns as Shiro Mizushima, the young crew member of the Shinseimaru who fought on the front lines, alongside Kuranosuke Sasaki as Seiji Akitsu, the captain of the same vessel. Furthermore, Sakura Ando reprises her role as Sumiko Ota, Shikishima’s neighbor who now runs a local orphanage, and Mio Tanaka returns as Tatsuo Hotta, the former captain of the destroyer Yukikaze. Having survived the previous deadly struggle alongside Shikishima, these beloved characters stand ready to face Godzilla once again.”
Coming to theaters a little sooner, on September 9, is Neon’s HOPE, written and directed by Na Hong-jin (THE WAILING, THE CHASER). Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung, Hoyeon, Taylor Russell, Cameron Britton, Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender star; the synopsis: “In the remote village of Hope Harbor, a mysterious creature has wreaked havoc on the village. Police and local hunters set out to track the beast and find themselves hunted instead. But not all is as it seems. As panic spreads and reality begins to unravel, the village finds itself facing something far beyond imagination.”
