‘Godzilla Minus One’ Director Takashi Yamazaki Makes English Film Debut With ‘Grandgear’ For J.J. Abrams/Bad Robot & Sony, Releasing February 2028 [CinemaCon]

Wow, we didn’t see this coming. But Sony Pictures announced that they’re partnering with J.J. Abrams‘ production banner Bad Robot and “Godzilla Minus One” director Takashi Yamazaki for a mysterious new feature film called “Grandgear.”

Given the mystery box nature of most of the Bad Robot projects, we’re not entirely surprised there isn’t an official logline or major plot details mentioned by Sony in their announcement. Then again, the genre-focused banner has been behind the “Cloverfield” trilogy, and the WWII-set zombie horror pic “Overlord,” alongside producing multiple blockbuster franchises Abrams got involved with, such as “Mission: Impossible,” “Star Trek,” and “Star Wars.”

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However, they did mention that “Grandgear” will be ready for release on February 18, 2028, with Abrams and Glen Zipper producing (telegraphing that filming could begin filming sometime in 2027). Of course, this would mark Yamazaki’s first English-language film and first time working on a major Hollywood production, likely not his last.

Yamazaki made huge waves with his post-WWII “Godzilla” installment for Toho, with such impressive VFX on a limited budget, it was enough for the monster movie to earn a Best Visual Effects Oscar statue in 2024. Surrounding the film’s hype, the filmmaker had been meeting with all sorts of Hollywood studios and producers, and seemingly has landed at Bad Robot/Sony for “Grandgear,” which we could only speculate, based on the title, might be about robots or mechs?

The Japanese director’s next film, “Godzilla Minus Zero,” is a follow-up to “Minus One.” A highly anticipated creature feature is expected to get some promotional love at CinemaCon this week ahead of its release in U.S. theaters on November 6. We’ll keep our fingers crossed for a teaser trailer or some footage.

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Stay tuned for updates concerning “Grandgear” as plot and casting information come to us, discovering what this project is ultimately about.