Last night in a surprise announcement to fans at San Diego Comic Con 2016, Funimation Films announced its acquisition of the live action filmGodzilla: Resurgence(a.k.a.Shin Godzilla) from Toho Company, Ltd. The agreement includes theatrical, home entertainment, video on demand and broadcast rights for the upcoming Japanese live-action feature film and covers all of the Americas (North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean). Funimation is currently planning to releaseGodzilla: Resurgencein theaters in late 2016. Here’s whatGen Fukunaga, CEO and President of Funimation, had to say in his statement.
“Funimation is extremely pleased to be working with Toho to bringGodzilla: Resurgenceto audiences across the Americas.Godzillabecame a science fiction icon from the moment Toho brought it to the big screen in 1954. We’re honored to be a part of its rich history.”
Godzilla: Resurgenceis a Japanesetokusatsu kaijufilm - a live action science fictionmonster moviefeaturing special effects. It is the 29th Godzilla film produced by Toho and the 31st in the franchise. The film is co-directed byHideaki AnnoandShinji Higuchi. Both directors performed double duties as writer and visual effects director respectively.Higuchimost recently directed the live action film adaption ofAttack on Titan(Shingeki no Kyojin) which was released in 2015. Here’s whatMike DuBoise, EVP and COO of Funimation had to say in his statement.
“Godzilla: Resurgencerepresents a brand new chapter in the 62-year history of this iconicscience fiction monster. We’re excited to bring audiences this new vision of Godzilla from Toho as reimagined by directorsHideaki AnnoandShinji Higuchi.”
Godzilla: ResurgencestarsHiroki HasegawaandSatomi Ishihara- both alums of theAttack on Titanmovie - andYutaka Takenouchi. Toho last releasedGodzilla: Final Warsback in 2004, and licensed the rights toGodzillato Warner Bros. for directorGareth Edwards' remake, which earned $525 million worldwide, $26 million of which came from Japanese markets. Given the renewed interest in theGodzillafranchise, Toho decided to produce anotherGodzillaproject, andGodzilla: Resurgencewas born.
Funimation Films, the theatrical division of Funimation Entertainment, acquires both anime and live action movies from prominent international filmmakers that appeal to the interests and passion of all types of fans and distributes them throughout North America. The division was launched in December 2014 following the box office success ofDragon Ball Z: Battle of the Godsthat same year. Funimation Films releasedDragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’a year later and which became #9 highest-grossing anime movie in North America. Funimation Entertainment is a subsidiary of Group 1200 Media, a fully integrated, next-generation, independent entertainment studio based in Dallas. For more information on Funimation Films, visit funimationfilms.com.
Founded in 1932 and headquartered in Tokyo, Toho Company, Ltd. is one of the leading entertainment conglomerates in Japan. Toho is best known worldwide as the producer of twenty-nineGodzillamotion pictures, based upon a character the company unleashed on the world back in 1954, and masterpiece films directed byAkira Kurosawa. Toho has been the number one distributor of motion pictures in Japan (both domestic and foreign) for eight consecutive years since 2003. The company is also, throughout Japan, the leading producer of theatrical works and one of the largest owners of office buildings and theaters.
