It only hit US theaters last weekend, but “Godzilla Minus One” is the talk of the industry right now, with some critics considering it a landmark blockbuster and one of the best “Godzilla” movies ever made. That’s high praise for director Takashi Yamazaki, who now has significant crossover appeal after a long tenure in the Japanese film industry. So what does Yamazaki have in his sights as a future project? How about helming “Star Wars” a film?
Yamazaki expressed interest in directing a movie set a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away in a recent talk with /Film. “I watched “Star Wars,” and that’s how I ended up being a filmmaker,” he told the outlet. “I’m really hoping I will get a call and they will bring me on ‘Star Wars.'” Of course, it’s the dream of many filmmakers to direct a “Star Wars” movie. And in the case of Lucasfilm, they’ve had plenty of potential films get lost in the pipeline, like Patty Jenkins‘ “Rogue Squadron,” Guillermo del Toro‘s film about Jabba the Hutt, and Kevin Feige‘s project. So while Yamazaki may want to make a “Star Wars” project, it’s easy to respond with some pith: get in line, pal, and even then, if you’re chosen, it’s likely the project will get lost in development hell anyway.
But Yamazaki could provide a fresh set of eyes to an IP that, thanks to a glut of Disney+ series the past couple of years, needs a major facelift. And Yamazaki just proved with “Godzilla Minus One” that he’s capable of more than just a facelift when it comes to famous film franchises. Yamazaki’s has all the experience Kathleen Kennedy & Lucasfilm would want when it comes to writing, directing, and VFX. Plus, Yamazaki serves as visual effects supervisor on his projects, which brings further cohesion to the film’s visuals and its narrative tone. And Yamazaki wouldn’t break the bank for Lucasfilm either. “Godzilla Minus One” looks spectacular, and Yamazaki accomplished that on a $15 million budget. A “Star Wars” movie that looks better than most recent MCU fare at a fraction of the cost? That would be a godsend to a franchise whose movie output stuck in stasis.
But Yamazaki on “Star Wars” would also supply a fresh perspective to the franchise’s material. “I think a more Japanese or even just Eastern take on “Star Wars” would be really, really interesting, so I hope they call me up,” he said. And Yamazaki isn’t wrong about that. Akira Kurosawa‘s “The Hidden Fortress” and other samurai dramas are a big part of the cinematic heritage George Lucas used as key influences for “A New Hope.” And that influence remains in more recent “Star Wars” projects like the animated anthology series “Star Wars: Visions,” which features original anime from around the world based on “Star Wars” lore.
Some “Star Wars” fans hate a new take on the franchise’s formula (look at the backlash to Rian Johnson‘s “The Last Jedi“). But maybe a vision like Yamazaki’s is exactly what the “Star Wars” universe needs. And making visually appealing blockbusters on a relatively shoestring budget would solve many of the headaches Lucasfilm and other studios currently face with their blockbuster franchises. Is Yamazaki’s style of filmmaking actually what Hollywood desperately needs right now? There may be more truth to that line of thinking than most moviegoers realize.
But Yamazaki may be busy making a sequel to “Godzilla Minus One.” At the film’s premiere back in November on “Godzilla Day,” the director hinted he may not be done with the franchise he’s rejuvenated. “I’ve always wanted to make a “Godzilla” movie, so this was the moment when my dream of 50 years came true,” Yamazaki told Sanspo at the premiere. “But I felt lonely…I wanted to make one more movie. I wonder if you can give me one?”
All jokes aside, give how well “Godzilla Minus One” is doing critically, don’t be surprised if Yamazaki indeed makes another “Godzilla” movie and remains in high demand over the next few years. And if that goes well, who knows? Maybe Kathleen Kennedy will come knocking on Yamazaki’s door to make his “Star Wars” dreams come true.
