Get ready to scrub your brains free of the god-awful 1998 remake of GORJIRA by Roland Emmerich (2012, INDEPENDENCE DAY), because a deal has just been struck to get a new remake of the Japanese classic in production. According to Bloody Disgusting both Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures are teaming up to bring a reboot to our screens in the near future, just recently having closed a deal with Japanese rights-holders, Toho.
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,
Thomas Tull, CEO of Legendary Pictures tells The Hollywood Reporter,
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.
A big statement to live up to indeed, especially given American film-makers track record when dealing with the horror icon, but one that sounds promising. No director or writers have been attached to the project thus far but it seems unlikely that Emmerich will be returning, given his lack of enthusiasm for a GODZILLA sequel in the past. It does, given its popularity at the moment, seem highly likely that the film will be shot in 3D, the IMAX format, or both.
Both studios are aiming to get their GODZILLA reboot out by 2012. What do you think, is another American remake of GORJIRA worth the hassle?