‘Godzilla Minus One’ sequel update: Takashi Yamazaki confirms working on sequel’s screenplay and storyboards

Takashi Yamazaki and Christopher Nolan attend the Governors Ball during the 96th Annual Academy Awards
| Photo Credit: Mike Coppola

Takashi Yamazaki, the Oscar-winning writer, director and VFX supervisor of the hit Japanese film Godzilla Minus One has confirmed that he’s currently working on the screenplay and storyboards for the film’s sequel, reported Variety.

The filmmaker was among the honorees who shared their views on AI at the Visual Effects Society Awards and Yamazaki also accepted the Society’s Visionary Award. At the event, the director also stated that he expects to have “more” budget this time around from Toho. Though he did not reveal an exact figure, it’s worth noting that Godzilla Minus One was made on a budget of less than $15 million.

Variety also shared quotes from the filmmaker from the event on the potential of AI. “It’s a very capable assistant or tool, as it stands right now, but it is not at the point where it can kind of take centre stage and generate what humans can,” he said. “Right now, it’s not in any of our pipelines because of that reason, but the speed at which AI evolves is just so immense that where it goes from here remains to be seen.”

Pointing out how he might be a late adopter of the tech, the director said, “Until recently, I’ve been still shooting on film and I like to use miniatures. So I know that someday we’re going to have to embrace and kind of work with AI, but I’m probably going to be one of the later ones because I do like working with older technology and techniques.”

Godzilla Minus One, set in postwar Japan, starred Ryunosuke Kamiki as a former kamikaze pilot suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after encountering a giant monster known as Godzilla. The film also starred Minami Hamabe, Yuki Yamada, Munetaka Aoki, Hidetaka Yoshioka, Sakura Ando, and Kuranosuke Sasaki.

Apart from grossing more than $110 million worldwide and becoming the most successful Japanese Godzilla film, Godzilla Minus One also attained numerous accolades, including a leading 12 nominations at the 47th Japan Academy Film Prize (winning eight) and winning Best Visual Effects at the 96th Academy Awards.