The Criterion Collection posted the image you see to the right on their Facebook page, which pretty much insists Criterion will be releasing Gojira (Godzilla) on Blu-ray. Tossing “Gojira” into Google’s translator returns exactly what you see smack dab in the middle of that canister label. The question now is… when?
Godzilla was released on Blu-ray in 2009 by Classic Media and Genius Products and while it was a high definition presentation in 1080i, DVDBeaver’s review goes on to say, “It has had no discernable cleanup and is filled with the same damage marks as the DVD. It is NOT at all smooth in motion.” So, suffice to say, there was room for improvement and Criterion’s posting of the image you see here would have everyone hoping they have managed to get their hands on an original negative and are beginning the clean-up process, or have they already started?
I would assume they have already started because why otherwise would you tease your audience so soon if you didn’t plan on revealing the film as an upcoming title. Based on the timing, I would suspect Godzilla will be ready for a Criterion Blu-ray and DVD release for this December and we’ll be hearing about it on September 15, when the Collection announces their next round of upcoming titles. Then again, that’s just my own speculation.
The Godzilla is also still very much alive in Hollywood with Monsters helmer Gareth Edwards currently attached to direct a remake for Warner Bros., though not much has been said about the film since its announcement. Godzilla was last brought to American screens by Roland Emmerich in the failed 1998 feature starring Matthew Broderick.
